The Planning and Zoning Commission on the evening of the meeting voted unanimously to recommend approval of a special‑use permit (SU25001) for Retmo First Store LLC to construct a 9,000‑square‑foot self‑storage building at 715 North Denver Avenue.

City planning staff told the commission the subject parcel is about 1.93 acres, is zoned general commercial (C‑2), and already contains three storage buildings totaling about 19,862 square feet; the proposed new building would bring the total to roughly 28,862 square feet. Staff said the parcel is surrounded by multifamily residential to the north and south, C‑2 to the west and R‑2 across Denver Avenue, and that the site is served by City of Republic water and sanitary sewer with capacity to serve the expansion. Staff also said the parcel does not lie in a special flood hazard area and does not contain sinkholes.

“The staff report was a good summary, and so I’m really just here to answer any questions that you all might have,” Daniel Richards of Lee Engineering said, speaking for the applicant.

According to the staff report, self‑storage facilities did not require special‑use permits when the existing buildings were first constructed in February 2002; however, construction of a new building or significant improvements now trigger the requirement. Staff cited the city’s special‑use permit ordinance (section 405670) as authorizing uses otherwise prohibited in the zoning district where appropriate conditions and safeguards are imposed. Staff said a traffic‑impact study was not required because the developer stated the proposed use is low intensity and generates fewer trips than other permitted C‑2 uses; the city engineer may re‑evaluate that determination if a more intense use is proposed during permitting.

No members of the public testified in favor or opposition during the hearing. After discussion, a motion to recommend approval carried on a roll‑call vote with all present commissioners voting aye. The commission’s action is a recommendation; the staff report notes that final approvals (including design review, stormwater, and building permits) and any conditions set by city council will be resolved during subsequent review stages.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded in writing to city council for further consideration; development review and building‑permit approval would follow a favorable council decision.