P&Z Approves Self-Storage Warehouse Expansion Project

By Andrew Gorosko

Following a review of design plans for an expansion project, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a local mini-warehouse company’s proposal to construct two additional storage buildings at its South Main Street site.

On November 6, P&Z members approved a request from Newtown Self Storage, LLC, of 137 South Main Street for a modification to a special permit to construct two 1,500-square-foot buildings at its two-acre site. The property lies south of South Main Street’s northern intersection with Peck’s Lane. The site is in a M-5 (Industrial) zone.

In 1999, the P&Z granted an initial approval for mini-warehouse construction at the site. The firm built a 13,500-square-foot mini-warehouse at the property in 2001. It constructed a 7,500-square-foot mini-warehouse there in 2003.

The structures are segmented into small spaces which people rent out from the owner for the storage of various items.

Engineer Larry Edwards, representing the applicant, told P&Z members at a November 6 public hearing that each of the two new buildings would have the dimensions of 15 feet by 100 feet. Those structures would be segmented into small spaces to allow people to store various items. The new buildings would be constructed on the east side of the site.

Existing parking at the facility would not be altered, Mr Edwards said. Self-storage facilities generate little traffic flow, he said.

The property’s owner has learned of a demand for the small storage spaces that would be provided within the 1,500-square-foot structures, Mr Edwards said.

“This is a pretty straightforward application,” the engineer said.

Tom Christiano, representing Newtown Self Storage, said that the storage of hazardous materials is prohibited in the mini-warehouse spaces.

There is much demand for the smalls-scale storage units that would be constructed in the two additional buildings, he said. Such small storage units might measure about 150 square feet in floor area.

Mr Christiano predicted that such small units would be rapidly rented out, noting that the facility does not now have such small spaces to rent.

In approving the application, P&Z members found that the planned land use is consistent with the terms of the 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development. They also noted the application meets the requirements for a special permit in a M-5 zone.

Also, P&Z members decided that existing zoning violations on the property must be corrected and that suitable landscaping must be provided at the site.