The subject property is located at the northeast corner of Trouble Creek Road and Voorhees Road. The western half of the property consists of an office building and open space. The eastern half is wetlands. The existing use is an office for a pressure washing business. Conditions for a zoning clearance of the business prohibited outdoor storage of vehicles and equipment.
Proposal:
The applicant is requesting a conditional use to allow for the outdoor storage of RVs. A Land Use amendment to Light Industrial and a Rezoning to Light Industrial have been requested. A conditional use for outdoor storage is only permitted in a Light Industrial zoning district.
Criteria for Adoption of a Conditional Use:
The following guidelines from Section 5.02.10 of the Land Development Code must be addressed when considering a special exception/conditional use:
1) That the special exception/conditional use is specifically permitted in the zoning district: Outdoor storage within the Light Industrial zoning district may be considered upon conditional use application. It is not permitted in the C-2 zoning district.
2) That the granting of any exception, will not adversely affect the public health safety, or welfare of the community: The use of this site for outdoor storage would negatively impact the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
3) The granting of a special exception/conditional use is consistent with the intent of the zoning district: The Light Industrial District provides for conditional uses including outdoor storage. The special exception/conditional use review is intended to review each specific request and determine compatibility and assign conditions as necessary or appropriate.
4) The requirements of the district in which the use is to be located shall be complied with: The site if rezoned to Light Industrial can accommodate the outdoor storage use as required within the Light Industrial District.
5) Excessive traffic will not be generated on residential streets: This proposal may create additional RV and heavy equipment traffic on Vorhees Road and Trouble Creek Road.
6) The proposed use will not adversely affect the residential character of existing neighborhoods: The character of the area is a mix of commercial, church and residential uses. The outdoor storage of RVs would not be aesthetically pleasing and would negatively impact that area.
7) A vehicular parking or traffic problem is not created: A traffic problem of heavy equipment and RVs will create a nuisance in the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Planning Review
The proposed use of storing RVs and equipment on site will create a nuisance to the surrounding neighborhoods. The site will be unaesthetic and traffic of heavy vehicles will invade the privacy and quality of life for surrounding residences.