Bellflower : Mini-Storage Ban Extended

Concern over under-utilized commercial property prompted the City Council to unanimously approve a 10 1/2-month moratorium on the construction of mini-warehouse facilities, which council members say fail to bring tax revenue and jobs into the city.

The vote followed a public hearing where developer George Holiday protested the moratorium and asked the council to allow construction of a warehouse and a three-level parking structure for recreational vehicles at Woodruff Avenue and Artesia Place. Holiday said he plans to eventually build a $15 million light industrial park on the 2.5-acre site.

He argued that the industrial complex would generate tax revenue for the city and provide up to 185 jobs when it is completed.

“One of their (the council’s) main concerns is generating revenue,” Holiday said after the meeting. “They should understand that many of these operations do produce sales tax revenues for the city.”

Former Bellflower councilman Ray O’Neal defended Holiday’s position and asked the council to drop the moratorium.

“I think Mr. Holiday has something worthwhile to bring into the community,” O’Neal told the council. “It’s been difficult to bring worthwhile projects into the city and I think you should consider dropping this moratorium.”

The city now has three mini-warehouses, according to a staff report. On May 2 the council adopted a 45-day moratorium on the facilities, but the Planning Commission recommended the extension to give it time to study the city’s long-term development goals.