Commission recommends special-use permit for outdoor storage at 3400 Southwest Boulevard with screening stipulation

Grove City Planning Commission recommended approval to City Council of a special-use permit to allow outdoor storage at 3400 Southwest Boulevard, where a temporary permit has allowed outdoor storage since January 2024.

Rebecca Mott of the Plank Law Firm represented the applicant and said she was available to answer questions. Development staff said City Council issued a temporary special-use permit in January 2024 authorizing outdoor storage for up to two years and that the site has been used since that time. The storage area is enclosed by a six-foot chain-link fence that was approved through a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals in 2024; the gravel surface also was permitted by variance. Materials state the tenant, Rain for Rent, will store equipment on the site.

Staff noted the submitted site plan shows conditions associated with a future building along Lewis Center Way and therefore recommended a stipulation that the existing screening along Lewis Center Way remain in place until a development plan is approved and the future building is constructed. The applicant agreed with the recommended stipulation and said the yard will be used primarily for equipment storage; staff estimated approximately 10 semi trucks and trailers would enter and exit the site each day using a new curb cut on Lewis Center Way that has not yet been constructed.

After questions and review, a commissioner moved to recommend approval with the stipulation; Chair Oster, Mr. Titus and Mr. Roach voted yes by roll call. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action; a development plan will be required for the future building shown on the site plan.