Committee gives advisory approval to U‑Haul planned use at 1404 W. Highway 50, with variances for parking and signage

O'Fallon — The Community Development Committee on Monday voted to recommend approval of a planned use (B-1P) for a U‑Haul Moving & Storage Center at 1404 West Highway 50, a roughly 7.05‑acre parcel formerly occupied by RP Lumber. The committee's vote was advisory; the full City Council will consider the ordinance and final approvals.

Greg Anderson, the city's director of community development, presented the petition from applicant Sahithya Shiruku of Americo Real Estate Company and described a two‑phase project that would renovate two existing southern buildings near Highway 50 and add a three‑story, climate‑controlled self‑storage building on the northern portion of the site facing I‑64.

The proposal requests multiple variances and site exceptions, including truck and equipment rentals in a B‑1 district, an alternative parking plan, and additional wall signage. Anderson told the committee the project would include about 1,038 self‑storage units (not including U‑Box pods), a roughly 36,000‑square‑foot three‑story storage building, a 15,000‑square‑foot retail/office showroom and an approximately 12,000‑square‑foot U‑Box storage building in phase 2.

Anderson said the property is currently zoned Community Business District (B‑1) and, if approved, would change to B‑1P (planned community business). "This is a planned use…