Board approves zone change, conditional approvals for outdoor storage site on Stratford Avenue

The Sunrise Manor Town Advisory Board approved a zone change and associated design and development waivers for a 0.54-acre outdoor storage site east of Stratford Avenue.

Applicant James Lopez said the parcel at issue would “eventually all become industrial,” and that he preferred to avoid buffering and screening now, but told the board he was “not opposed to putting in the proper buffering and the proper screening” if required. The two related agenda items were ZC250431 (zone change from RS-20 to IP) and the use-permit/waiver package for outdoor storage and display with modifications for buffering, residential adjacency, off-site improvements and driveway design.

Why it matters: The zone change reclassifies a residentially planned parcel to allow industrial uses; board members approved the zone change and then approved the design and waiver requests subject to staff’s recommended conditions, including compliance with Title 30 standards.

Board action: The board first voted to approve the zone change (item 2) on a motion, with members saying the approval was “per staff recommendation.” On the design/waiver/use-permit item (item 3), the applicant indicated willingness to meet conditions; the board approved item 3 “per staff recommendations” and the item passed on a voice vote.

The applicant said he intended to mirror pavement and driveway treatments already present across the street and did not strongly oppose staff conditions. There were no public speakers at the hearing.

Speakers at the hearing included James Lopez, several Sunrise Manor board members, and planning staff who prepared the recommendation report.