HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An ordinance proposing the construction of 175 storage units in the Westmoreland area saw approval during Monday evening’s session of the Huntington City Council.
The ordinance saw its second reading on Monday and pertains to the rezoning of a property in the Wayne County Tax District from R-2 Residential to I-1 Industrial. The rezoning would be implemented to accommodate the development of a commercial storage facility on the property in question by the petitioner.
City Planner Janney Lockman presented the proposed change to members of City Council, noting that the planning commission had voted unanimously to forward this petition with a favorable recommendation to City Council.
Councilman Tyler Bowen, who issued one of the two “no” votes heard with regard to the change, expressed concerns of such a facility leading to individuals taking up residence on the property as has been the case with other self-storage units in the area recently.
“Unfortunately, as many self-storage units as we have in Westmoreland at this moment, we’ve actually had some issues here recently of folks that may or may not be living in storage units,” said Councilman Bowen. “There’s a big concern that the community has brought up to me about adding more to what we already have.”
Notably, no individuals from the Westmoreland area or otherwise made arrangements to be present at Monday’s meeting of the Huntington City Council to speak either or against the proposed zoning change.
A motion for approval of the proposed change ultimately carried through City Council with a vote of 6-2 and three members absent for the proceedings.