Denison commission recommends conditional use permit for self‑storage at 3109 S. Woodlawn Blvd.

The Denison Planning and Zoning Commission on May 27 voted to recommend that the City Council approve a conditional use permit to allow a mini self‑storage facility at 3109 South Woodlawn Boulevard.

Staff told the commission the property is zoned commercial but that a storage facility requires a conditional use permit. The site is largely undeveloped except for an existing structure the applicant proposes to renovate for an on‑site office; tenant access to the storage units would be available 24 hours a day, while the office would operate 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Planning staff said the development must meet Chapter 28 of the zoning code, the Public Works Design Manual and construction standards, and fire‑safety requirements, including sprinklers and a fire lane.

Commissioners and neighbors focused on screening, architectural appearance and tree preservation. Resident Peggy Gardner asked the commission to require a masonry wall similar to an existing brick wall in her neighborhood, saying that treatment "really helps the aesthetics of the neighborhood." Resident Adrianna Alvarez said she supported the request but only if three conditions were met: route traffic to Woodlawn, provide effective visual screening (she proposed a brick fence) and preserve mature trees as habitat. Applicant representative Todd Young said the team was "aware" of the city requirements and that they intended to provide a "very professional and clean look" using landscaping and fencing to screen views from adjacent houses.

Planning staff explained that there are screening requirements between the proposed commercial use and residential zoning to the west, a 10‑foot landscaping strip requirement along Woodlawn Boulevard, internal landscaping and parking standards to meet, and a required tree survey and tree preservation plan at the site‑plan stage. Staff also noted that because the site is not in an architectural overlay, the commission would need to add any specific masonry requirement as a recommended condition; otherwise the applicant must still satisfy the existing landscaping, screening and tree‑preservation ordinances at site plan submittal.

After public comment and discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the conditional use permit. The motion carried with commissioners verbally voting "aye." The commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action; the applicant must submit a formal site plan and associated civil and tree‑preservation submittals before building permits can be issued.