The council considered a request to rezone a 1.45-acre property at the South Lowry Street and Seward Drive intersection from PRD (planned residential development) to PID within the Lowry Street overlay for development as a climate-controlled self‑storage complex.

Planner Kevin told council the existing PRD approval calls for 21 townhomes; the new proposal is a 78,277-square-foot, three‑story climate‑controlled storage building with a partial basement and additional parking. The Planning Commission recommended approval, 4–1, subject to five conditions addressing the number of parking spaces, front setback, awnings, street-tree requirements and modified landscape buffers.

Council concerns: A council member questioned whether storage units fit the comprehensive land-use plan, which designates the corridor for mixed residential and commercial use. "I don't think the use fits this area," that council member said, noting the property is entering the main part of town and expressing preference for townhomes over an industrial-style storage facility. Planner Kevin said staff had received no revised submittal after the applicant requested a 30-day deferral at the prior meeting.

Exceptions requested: The developer sought exceptions to required parking (requesting 22 instead of the 26 spaces required), to reduce the Lowry Street front setback from 40 feet to 25 feet, and to modify street-tree and buffer requirements because of utility conflicts; the developer also requested a waiver on awning height and projection requirements in the overlay.

Next steps: Council members said the item will be placed on the May agenda for formal consideration; no final rezoning decision was made at the workshop.