Council approves planned development for 2-story climate-controlled self-storage on Debbie Lane

The Arlington City Council on May 27 approved a planned-development rezoning and development plan to allow a two-story, climate-controlled self-storage facility at 901 Debbie Lane.

The applicant, Johnson Development, represented by Bill Dahlstrom, sought a PD amendment to permit a self-storage facility on a roughly 5.06-acre tract owned by Southpointe Baptist Church. Dahlstrom said easements and utilities reduce the developable area to less than three acres, arguments that the applicant said make self-storage an appropriate use. The proposal calls for a climate-controlled, two-story facility with 992 storage units and includes enhanced landscaping and façade treatments to align the building with adjacent uses.

Dahlstrom told council the project had been refined following Planning and Zoning (PNZ) and staff review, adding more than 140 trees and more than 200 shrubs and redesigning the facade to appear more like office development than a conventional storage structure. He said the developer agreed to a masonry wall and would place landscaping in easement areas where walls could not be constructed. Staff told council the plan complies with UDC requirements for fencing, buffers and landscaping.

The council had one public commenter listed in support; Greer Gordon attended and was available for questions. Council member Galante moved approval and council member Hunter seconded; the motion passed on the council floor. After the vote, councilmembers complimented the applicant and staff for design improvements.

The ordinance and development plan will proceed according to the city’s standard permitting process. The applicant indicated they will implement low-water landscaping and maintain the landscaping area. The site will be purchased from Southpointe Baptist Church as part of the project.