Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) discussed and then approved an application for a Commerce Road self-storage facility during its September 15 meeting.

P&Z members present were chair Dennis Bloom, vice chair Roy Meadows, Kersti Ferguson, Brian Leonardi, Gregory Rich, David Rosen, and Connie Widmann, as well as Land Use Agency Deputy Director of Planning Rob Sibley.

Application 22.22 by 19 Commerce Road, LLC, requested a special exception to the zoning regulations. The property is at 19 Commerce Road.

The applicant sought a permit for the construction of a self-storage facility and associated paved parking areas and drives, aboveground stormwater management areas, belowground infiltration facilities, and other miscellaneous site improvements.

The application moved to P&Z after being approved by Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission in July.

Jason Edwards, owner of J. Edwards & Associates LLC, represents the applicant.

“This is a vacant lot now. It’s got some containers and some vehicles that park there, but essentially, it’s empty,” Edwards said. “Behind it is a larger vacant lot that is totally undeveloped and was recently acquired by the owner.”

He noted that there is a wetland pocket that crosses between the two properties.

“What’s proposed is five self-storage facilities over [the] 5½-acre site,” Edwards said.

There will be an office building and storage units which will be accessed through a gated driveway.

“It’s a two-story building, but it’s set down on one side, so it appears to be a one-story building from the left side,” Edwards said.

The other side of the facility has a separate driveway, that is also gated, for access to the three additional buildings.

“All of the units are accessed internally, I believe, except for this one smaller building, which has exterior access,” Edwards said.

The property has public water and sewer, as well as two independent drainage systems.

The applicants have provided a landscape plan, Edwards also noted.

“One area in particular that we wanted to provide some screening was the north end of the site,” next to the I-84 on-ramp for Exit 10, Edwards said.

Bloom said he had walked the property, and there is “a pretty deep gully” by the proposed second driveway, that would likely need quite a bit of site work.

“There is going to be some grading to get up to the top of the hill, but it all meets your driveway codes and regulations,” Edwards said.

Bloom also made sure to confirm it is not going to be a 24/7 operation when opened. Edwards said it will run 7 am to 9 pm.

Meadows asked Edwards to talk more about the administration side of the facility and if someone will be there during hours of operation.

Edwards said there is going to be “one central office” at building one.

Applicant Robert Manna, of 23 Commerce Road, answered, “I think initially, until we get it rented out, there will be staff there to help facilitate the renting of the units. But a lot of these self-storage units, the way that they have evolved, most everything is done now by computer or phone.

“There is an app you can go on and actually rent a unit and get a gate code and location of the unit. Then you can go there, put your stuff in, and secure it with a lock,” he added.

Meadows asked if anyone would be living on the premises, since some storage facilities have that element. He was told there would not be.

Edwards also shared with the commission that about 45% of the site will be developed.

Sibley asked, “Is this going to be a phased project?”

Edwards answered that as far as sequence goes, they would do building one and two at the same time if finances permit.

Sibley inquired, “Are these going to be heated?” to which Edwards replied that they are “climate controlled.”

With no public participation, the commission then voted to close the public hearing.

P&Z took a vote to approve Application 22.22, and it was unanimously approved. The approval will become effective October 8.

The next regularly scheduled P&Z meeting is set to take place on Thursday, October 6, at 7 pm, in the Newtown Municipal Council Chambers.

To learn more about the P&Z, visit newtown-ct.gov/planning-zoning-commission.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.