Developer seeks to add self‑storage to Finley Road retail site, request includes parking and height variances

Planning staff presented a request to allow self‑storage uses at 3431 Finley Road and to add an accessory indoor storage component to the site’s generalized plan. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and the generalized site plan but identified several variances the applicant seeks.

"The request is to change the zoning from CN and a generalized site plan for CN and self storage uses to the same SP2 for CN, with self storage and an accessory, indoor storage," staff said. The application would permit up to 75,000 square feet of self‑storage on a triangular parcel that staff called challenging to develop.

Staff highlighted proposed parking formulas: the applicant proposes establishing a parking standard of one space per 350 square feet for retail/office portions (the packet contained a typographical error staff corrected during the meeting), and one space per 7,500 square feet for self‑storage portions. Staff also noted the applicant requests to increase the self‑storage maximum height from 25 feet to 40 feet; most other on‑site commercial buildings are proposed at 30 feet.

The applicant’s illustrative materials show three‑story mini‑warehouse buildings in the rear and single‑story retail/commercial along Country Club Drive; staff said the generalized plan is illustrative and not binding at this stage. A commissioner asked why the applicant listed so many prohibited uses; staff said the list was intended to reduce traffic intensity by removing restaurants and other high‑turnover uses from this site.

Staff told commissioners that they will leave detailed design issues to the public hearing and to the applicant’s final site plan submittal. The request generated no public comment forms before the work session, and staff recommended approval.