Planning commission approves reduced Elmhurst self‑storage site plan after traffic concerns

Jonesboro — The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on Sept. 9 approved a site plan for a self‑storage facility on Elmhurst Drive after the applicant reduced the building footprint and added design changes intended to address prior commission comments.

Bear Davidson of Davidson Engineering, representing the applicant, told the commission the building had been “much larger the last time you saw it. Closer to or over 100,000 square feet,” but the developer reduced the footprint to 60,000 square feet and reconfigured the interior so “all of these units are interior loaded climate controlled units.” The revised plan also adds sidewalks on all four sides of the building and heavier landscaping along perimeter walls.

The change in size places the project below the commission’s 75,000‑square‑foot threshold for large‑scale development, but Davidson said the team submitted the revised site plan in good faith because the project previously had required conditional‑use review. “If that wasn't their MO, if they were just in it to try to ram through whatever they could, we would have submitted this differently,” Davidson said.

Commissioners discussed safety at the Elmhurst–Parker Road intersection. Commissioner Ford said left turns from Elmhurst across Parker’s lanes were unsafe, especially for vehicles towing moving trailers. “I cannot what happens if somebody's coming through here pulling a U Haul? It's just not a good place,” Ford said. A staff member noted Parker Road carries signage that prohibits left turns at the location; staff also said Elmhurst Drive has not yet been formally accepted by the city as a public street because final construction and improvements remain to be completed.

Planning staff told the commission the site does not meet the large‑scale threshold and that the conditional use previously granted was a reason the item was returned for this review. The city indicated it will raise the issue with the traffic control committee at its meeting on Friday to consider whether additional signage or no‑left‑turn restrictions are appropriate for Elmhurst Drive.

A commissioner moved to approve the site plan; the motion was seconded and approved by the commission through an electronic roll call. The minutes and motion record did not name the mover; Commissioner Merrill recorded the second and the board registered its approval.

The approved site plan items noted in the record include the reduced 60,000‑square‑foot footprint, elimination of exterior roll‑up doors in favor of interior‑loaded units, continuous perimeter sidewalks, and landscape buffering along the northern wall facing a future roadway. The record states the project falls below the large‑scale development threshold but was placed before the commission because of its prior conditional‑use history.

The commission did not adopt any additional conditions in the public record beyond those already in the file and directed staff to refer Elmhurst‑Parker intersection concerns to the traffic control committee for possible signage or other traffic‑control responses.

The applicant received formal approval during the meeting and the applicant representative acknowledged the commission’s action.