Village of Lewiston approves self-storage ban

Rob Creenan, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·1 min read

Mar. 6—LEWISTON — Self-storage facilities are now prohibited in the village.

The village's Board of Trustees passed the law at its work session on Monday, making self-storage places not a permitted use in business and residential business districts. They are still eligible for a use variance granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The village had a proposal in late 2022 for turning the Lewiston Event Center into a 300-unit storage facility. The village zoning board determined was not an acceptable use in the village code and the project never moved ahead.

Village Counsel Joseph Leone, who prepared the law, explained there was a question on whether a local law was needed so there would be no further questions about it. The trustees decide between wanting to promote business in the village and keeping the ambiance of the one-square-mile community.

"It's basically, do we want a great, big storage building," said Mayor Anne Welch, explaining there are restrictions in the village code because village leaders feel they do not fit.

Emery Simon, co-owner of the Lewiston Event Center and the only speaker during the public hearing portion said he felt the village has enough restrictions regarding what businesses can operate. He compared it to his situation owning the Niagara Falls Armory and the City of Niagara Falls not letting it be used for storage.

"By making it more stricter, you're really choking the usage of the land up," Simon said.

The changes do not cover garages, storage areas on private residences, or other accessory uses, allowing businesses to have storage spaces. Portable storage units are also not covered.