Commission recommends conditional‑use permit to convert vacant department store to self‑storage at 1115 West Second

The Hastings Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of a conditional‑use permit to convert part of the building at 1115 West Second Street into an indoor, climate‑controlled self‑storage facility.

City staff summarized the request as a reuse of roughly 43,700 square feet (about the west half of the roughly 79,000 square‑foot building) into approximately 350 units ranging from 5×5 to 10×30 feet. Staff said the proposed use should generate traffic comparable to or lighter than prior commercial uses, that existing utilities serve the site, and that applicable zoning conditions have been reviewed and are included in the packet.

Applicant Jordan Raybould described the ownership’s long effort to lease the vacant portion of the former department store and said the storage use would return that space to productive use. On questions about security, Raybould said, “You cannot access the building unless you have the app. There’ll be security cameras on the whole thing.” He and staff said the operation would be primarily self‑service with digital access and no on‑site management but that cameras and access controls would be in place.

Staff recommended approval with five conditions described in the commission packet; the conditions were not read aloud in full during the hearing. Commissioner Sean moved the recommendation; Commissioner Rakesh seconded. The commission voted 6‑0 to recommend approval.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action on the conditional‑use permit and any associated site or building permits.