The Hastings Planning Commission on July 15 voted 5‑0 to recommend City Council approve a conditional use permit to allow a self‑storage facility inside the back half of the former Kmart building at 905 Theater Drive in the Theater District.

Planning staff summarized the application and recommended approval. "So staff would recommend approval of the conditional use permit for the self storage facility inside the former Kmart building," Amber said during her report, noting the proposal would not change the building footprint and that many code requirements for new standalone self‑storage facilities did not apply to an interior conversion.

Applicant Craig Reed of Perry Reed Properties said the project would occupy roughly 60,000 square feet in the rear of the building, with about 45,000 square feet of climate‑controlled storage and 15,000 square feet reserved for expansion. Reed told the commission, "Traffic should be really light for self storage." He also said exterior lighting and parking would use existing infrastructure and that no new exterior lighting was planned beyond matching awnings.

The commission received one email in advance (included in the packet) raising concerns about traffic, lighting and property values; Amber said she had responded to the sender and that objections seemed to stem from a misunderstanding about whether units would be indoors. No one testified in person in opposition at the hearing.

Commissioner Chuck moved to recommend approval to City Council; Commissioner Craig seconded. The motion passed 5‑0 and will be forwarded to City Council for the required permitting decision.