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Commission approves 2‑story storage expansion in Parrish after heated public debate
Summary
The county commission approved a 2‑story, 18,000‑square‑foot extension of an existing Parrish self‑storage complex despite strong neighborhood opposition. The board voted 4–3 in favor after residents raised concerns about stormwater, sign visibility and ingress/egress.
The Manatee County Commission narrowly approved a rezoning and revised preliminary site plan for a 2‑story, 18,000‑square‑foot addition to the Parrish Storage complex at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 and Fort Hamer Road on Wednesday, voting 4–3 in favor.
Commissioner Nadine Sadiq made the motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Ron. The final vote was 4–3, with Commissioners Feltz, McCann and Bearden opposed.
Applicant remarks and staff findings: Applicant representatives said the addition sits behind an existing restaurant (C & K Barbecue) and would be accessed from U.S. 301 using the established driveway. They told the board the project would increase marked parking from 26 to 34 spaces (they will also count gated back‑of‑house spaces), provide required stormwater on site and meet land‑development standards. Staff recommended approval, finding the request consistent with the comprehensive plan and land‑development code, and said the traffic impact statement had been approved with the planned access configuration.
Public opposition: Neighbors described the area as an intended village overlay that had already been eroded by multiple self‑storage and commercial developments. “This neighborhood has 42 houses,” said resident Elizabeth Arnold. “We didn’t sign up for a corridor of storage units.” Other residents detailed perennial stormwater and visibility problems with notices, expressed concern about a proposed concrete‑walled retention basin with a six‑foot fence and said the new building would reduce the “village” character residents had hoped to preserve.
Support and developer response: Applicant counsel said the parcel is zoned for commercial uses, that the property owner had bought an adjacent lot to avoid a half‑built residence sitting next to the complex, and that security, landscaping and screening would be provided. Engineer and applicant witnesses said the pond design will comply with county stormwater rules and noted that concrete walls are sometimes required where space and slopes demand them.
Why it mattered: Opponents argued the approval would accelerate a trend of compounding storage properties along Fort Hamer and Rutland roads and degrade neighborhood character, while proponents said the infill site is appropriate for a low‑traffic storage use and that the design met code requirements.
What happened at the meeting: After lengthy public comment and back‑and‑forth among commissioners about buffering, parking calculations and the suitability of storage in the Parrish village overlay, the board voted 4–3 to approve the revised preliminary site plan and rezone. Commissioners Feltz, McCann and Bearden recorded opposition in the final vote.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve PDR-2422ZP (Parrish Storage expansion) — moved by Commissioner Sadiq, seconded by Commissioner Ron; outcome: approved 4–3 (Commissioners Feltz, McCann and Bearden opposed).
