Planning and Zoning Commission approves Compton Outdoor Storage site plan for RV and boat parking

The Indian River County Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 11 recommended approval of a major site plan for Compton Outdoor Storage, a proposed recreational-vehicle, boat and outdoor storage facility west of 100 and Second Terrace.

Staff recommended the commission approve the plan, which the applicant says will provide 141 parking spaces for boats and RVs and will require more than 150,000 square feet of impervious surface, a threshold that triggered review by the commission rather than staff-level approval. "Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission approve the proposed major site plan for the Compton Outdoor Storage with the following conditions," planning staffer Brandon said, listing conditions tied to final landscaping, street lighting, tree protection and mitigation plans and to the dedication of any required conservation easements.

The site plan calls for one full-access driveway to 100 and Second Terrace, a gated entrance to the west for controlled access, one large stormwater pond at the western edge of the property and two smaller ponds in the central portion of the site near parking areas. A roadway buffer will be installed adjacent to 100 and Second Terrace, and a preserved wetland on the property was identified as approximately 0.21 acres.

Commission discussion touched on operational details and site layout. Commissioner Calvin said he was familiar with the applicant's prior work and: "everything he's ever done in the past is first class." Commissioners asked whether customers and employees would park outside the storage spaces; staff said users typically back into and leave their assigned storage spaces and that these facilities tend to have low, intermittent use.

Jeff Marquette, agent with Scholke, Biddle and Stoddard representing the Comptons, and property owners Wayne and Stephanie Compton were present; Marquette said he would answer any questions. After a period for public comment, a commissioner moved to approve the site plan consistent with staff recommendations and the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

The commission's approval is conditioned on satisfying the items listed in staff's report; required construction and dedication of conservation easements and final landscaping and lighting plans must be completed as specified before final development permits are issued. Site-level details such as specific operational rules or hours were not part of the rezoning/site-plan approval record. Staff will monitor compliance with the listed conditions as the project advances through permitting.