By Vince Rembulat
Liberty Self Storage got the go-ahead about a year ago on plans to build a facility in Ripon, California. Now, the business has been given 
a green light to add RV storage as well.
Last year, the Ripon Planning Commission approved the project in the Heavy Industrial District – a vacant lot bounded by the Union Pacific Railroad and Highway 99 – with the applicant submitting an inquiry about the feasibility of recreational vehicle storage.
Since March, city staff has analyzed and researched the application for the zoning text amendment for the request, believing that the RV storage could be allowed not just in Heavy Industrial but other districts – Community Commercial, Regional Commercial, Highway Service, Light Industrial and Mixed Use – with Major Site or Conditional Use permits.
“Whether a site is developed solely a RV storage facility or as a mini-storage that allows it as an ancillary use, staff believes that parameters should be put into place that limits the lot coverage, which would include outdoor RV storage, to that of the underlying zoning district,” said Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart in his report in a recent Ripon City Council meeting.
Elected leaders approved the change to the Ripon Municipal Code.
Under the ordinance amendment, storage facilities in the commercial development must be fenced or indoor, secure, onsite storage for recreation vehicles, boats and all-terrain vehicles.
“The storage of recreational vehicles on site shall not exceed the maximum lot area building coverage percent for the district, regardless of whether the storage is indoor or outdoors. For outdoor storage, the building coverage percentage shall be calculated by the parking space size.”
This was the second reading and adoption of the ordinance change, which will go into effect 15 days of public notice publication.
Liberty Storage has facilities in Turlock and Lodi.
“To date, the applicant-developer has submitted plans and is about to pull permits to start construction on the project,” Zuidervaart noted.
Vince Rembulat is a reporter for The Bulletin.
