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Planning Board approves new self‑storage complex on Route 28 with conditions and three‑year build window
Summary
The board granted site‑plan approval for a 44‑unit self‑storage development (7 buildings) at Sun Cook Valley Road, subject to conditions including condominium restrictions, stormwater treatment specifications and a three‑year completion schedule; the board also required low‑or‑no‑phosphate car‑wash language in condo documents.
Barry Geier of Jones & Beach Engineers presented the site plan for Outlook Properties on March 18, describing a 5.5‑acre development in the rural zone with seven buildings totaling 44 self‑storage units (each 20 by 48 feet). Geier said each unit will include only a toilet and sink and that the units will be condominiumized.
Geier explained access, utilities and stormwater treatment: the development will be served by on‑site community water and septic systems and a closed drainage network that routes runoff to an extended detention basin with micropool and an infiltration pond. Geier told the board the proposed stormwater system achieves substantial pollutant removal for phosphates; he described the design as having "the highest phosphate removal at like 68%."
Public‑safety and operational conditions: The plan responds to the fire chief’s comments; Geier agreed to install a Knox box and to accommodate other fire‑safety requirements. The applicant said gates will be card‑operated and that pavement geometry allows vehicles to pull fully onto the site before queuing at the gate.
Car-washing and water quality: Board members raised the possibility that unit owners might wash vehicles on site. Geier said there is no commercial car‑wash proposed but agreed to add language to the condominium documents requiring the use of low‑ or no‑phosphate car‑wash products and to prohibit wash water floor drains. The board asked that the car‑wash restriction be put in the project narrative and the condo documents.
Phasing and schedule: The applicant presented a three‑phase construction plan. The board and applicant discussed timing and vesting; after debate the board set a three‑year completion window for the project (36 months) rather than the standard 24 months, and approved the site plan with the agreed conditions.
Outcome: Case P25‑09 (Outlook Properties) was approved subject to the conditions precedent and subsequent conditions on the record, including condo restrictions on occupancy/uses, stormwater and erosion controls, fire‑safety items and the three‑year completion schedule.
