Commission approves Meadow Creek self‑storage site plan with design, access and signage conditions

The Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 21 approved site development plan S 240020 for a new 66,495-square-foot self‑storage facility on Lot 6 of Meadow Branch Industrial Park 2, subject to staff-recommended and additional commission conditions.

Staff said the applicant, Anglesmont Construction (represented by DPR), proposed elevations that were revised in coordination with staff to add stone veneer, brick and window glazing and to remove large areas of metal siding from earlier submittals. Staff described the current elevations as improved and said a design-preference modification is required because the applicant proposed parking in front of the building rather than at the rear, which is normally preferred under the development design preference manual.

Commission discussion covered pedestrian access from rear building exits, the visibility and architectural treatment of the primary entrance facing Criders Church Road, final materials selection (including an option for metal‑faced EIFS panels staff described as acceptable), and signage. Staff asked that the primary entrance elevation be enhanced so the most-visible façade facing the residential area is more attractive.

Staff recommended approval with conditions. The motion that passed included the following four conditions read into the record by the maker: (1) address all outstanding city and county comments prior to submission of the signature set; (2) provide improved elevations at the primary entrance facing Friars/Criders Church Road; (3) ensure sidewalks are installed from any exterior rear building exits to a public way if required by code (if not required, the commission will not require them); and (4) any signage facing a residential zone shall not be internally illuminated.

Commissioners also discussed emergency exit doors that currently terminate at concrete pads without clear pedestrian connections; staff asked that sidewalk outlets be provided if code requires safe egress to a public way. The commission approved the site plan and the requested parking-front modification by voice vote; the record shows the motion was seconded and passed but does not include a roll‑call tally.

Staff noted the site-plan review will address final parking counts, water allocation (staff noted self‑storage has low water use and an allocation application was submitted), landscape buffers and stormwater management in subsequent permit stages.