Cashmere adopts emergency moratorium on new mini-storage in key zones

CASHMERE — The Cashmere City Council on Feb. 23 adopted an emergency moratorium on new mini-storage facilities in parts of the city, a move officials said will give planners time to consider whether the use belongs in areas such as the downtown core.

The measure, approved on a 4–1 vote (with dissent from Councilmember John Perry), temporarily halts new applications while the city prepares formal zoning changes and schedules a public hearing.

Attorney Julie Norton drafted the ordinance at the council’s request following a recent discussion about the growing presence of storage uses and their long-term impact on commercial land.

Director of Operations Steve Croci said the urgency stemmed from new interest in developing mini-storage in the downtown area, where council members have increasingly focused on preserving space for higher-intensity commercial activity and housing.

“If we wait … there might be downtown mini-storage,” Croci told the council, adding that the moratorium allows the city to continue its code update without creating projects that would be difficult to reverse later.

Under the interim ordinance, the city must hold a public hearing before the moratorium can be extended beyond its initial six-month period.

Supporters of the pause said the issue is less about a single project and more about long-range land-use priorities.

Councilmember Jeff Johnson said downtown parcels represent limited space that could otherwise support businesses or residential development that generate ongoing economic activity.

“If you’re taking a lot in the downtown area that could be developed for a commercial business or for residential, those have higher value to the city,” Johnson said, noting that mini-storage typically produces little sales-tax revenue.

Johnson said the action follows a common planning practice used when cities are in the middle of updating development regulations.

Perry, the sole opponent of the emergency declaration, questioned whether the situation met the legal threshold for immediate action and expressed concern about the tone of the findings, which cite protection of public health, safety and welfare.

The moratorium applies only to new proposals and does not affect existing facilities.

The council is expected to take public comment and consider permanent zoning changes later this year as part of its ongoing code update.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media