The Board of Adjustment voted to allow contractor storage at 3050 Old Shell Road but imposed conditions intended to shield neighboring residential properties and ensure compliance with city regulations.
Applicant Justin Arata, president of Pinnacle Fencing, said the company purchased the lot adjacent to its renovated office at 3056 Old Shell Road and planned to use it as a fenced, laid‑down storage yard for materials and equipment. Board members and planning staff discussed required buffers and materials and stressed that noncompliant storage or vehicle repair would not be allowed on the site.
Board action and conditions: The board approved the use subject to a six-foot painted wood privacy fence placed on the property line, a vegetated buffer (the board amended the motion to require a 15-foot vegetative buffer where the site abuts residential lots to the west and south), full compliance with the Unified Development Code and all staff-recommended conditions in the staff report. The board’s motion included the staff recommendations except condition 7 as drafted; the board clarified that only the B-2 portion would be used for contractor storage unless rezoned or separate variances are granted, and the board exercised discretion to allow use across the larger site subject to the buffer and staff recommendations.
Why it matters: Allowing contractor storage on property that abuts R-1 lots can change neighborhood character and raise concerns about noise, visual impact and stormwater. The board’s conditions aim to mitigate visibility and operational impacts.
What the board said: Planning staff reminded members the UDC requires buffers and that the fence typically can be on the property line while the buffer area prohibits storage or structures. Board members added a vegetated buffer and required retention of tree plantings where possible.
Next steps: The applicant will proceed with site work, fencing and landscaping in compliance with the conditions and will obtain any land-disturbance permits required by engineering review. Planning staff will ensure the site plan reflects the approved fence and buffer and that the B-2/R-1 limits are applied per the motion.