Planning commission approves four‑story self‑storage at 720 South Maple Avenue; residents raised view and access concerns

The Montebello Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to demolish existing buildings at 720 South Maple Avenue and construct a four‑story, approximately 170,582‑square‑foot self‑storage facility operated by Madison Capital Group (brand name Go Store It). Staff recommended approval and found the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15332 (infill development). The motion to approve the project carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The project replaces light-industrial and commercial uses on a nearly 1.98‑acre site with a large self‑storage structure that abuts single‑family homes. Commissioners considered compatibility measures including building setbacks, a landscape buffer and limits on windows facing residences. Nearby residents expressed concerns about loss of sunlight, view impacts and driveway easements; the applicant and staff described mitigation measures and outreach results that included a 209‑signature petition in support.

Project and site details Daniel Ruiz, planning staff, described the application (case PC-2025-0001-CUP) filed by Madison Capital Group Management LLC to demolish a one‑story, multi‑tenant building and construct a four‑story self‑storage facility with an approximate gross building area of 170,852 square feet. The project proposes up to 1,250 storage units, a 391‑square‑foot leasing office and 13 surface parking spaces. The site area is approximately 86,249 square feet (roughly 1.98 acres).

The proposed building has a maximum front height of 55 feet and steps down to 48 feet toward the rear closest to adjacent single‑family residences. Staff said the design includes limited openings on the north and east facades to avoid privacy impacts, a 40‑foot separation between the rear property line and the building edge (including a 10‑foot landscaped buffer), and a 28‑foot circulation lane to accommodate fire and emergency access.

CEQA, outreach and demand analysis Staff recommended a Class 32 CEQA exemption for infill development and noted studies provided by the applicant, including vehicle‑miles‑traveled, air quality/greenhouse gas, noise and parking assessments. Notices were mailed on March 6 to property owners within 300 feet and a public notice was published in the Whittier Daily News.

Applicant Adam Lentz (Madison Capital) told the commission his firm owns and operates about 140 stores nationwide and described local market analysis showing unmet storage demand in the area. He said the company conducted door‑to‑door outreach and submitted a petition of 209 signatures supporting the project.

Public comments and resident concerns Speakers raised several specific concerns: Linda Becker (owner of adjacent lots at 732 and 742 South Maple) asked that her driveway easement be respected and sought confirmation that access through the easement would remain unobstructed. Lydia Maldonado, a resident at 709 South Taylor Avenue, said she has lived at the house for 65 years and expressed distress that a large building would appear at the back of her lot and reduce her view and access to natural light.

Applicant and staff responses The applicant said the design respects the existing easement and that gates would be set back so the easement would remain available for adjacent property access. Staff and the applicant described the landscape buffer, the masonry wall along the rear property line and the 40‑foot separation between the rear lot line and the building face. Staff said they did not receive formal written opposition to the mailed notice; they included a 209‑signature petition in the record supporting the project.

Other public comment and code limits A tenant and long‑time resident asked whether the project could include RV or vehicle storage; staff said the proposed use — self‑storage facility — is defined separately and does not include outdoor RV storage under current code. Commissioners also discussed zoning and noted that in Montebello self‑storage is allowed by conditional use permit in manufacturing zones (M1, M2) per an older ordinance; staff and the city attorney researched the code and concluded a CUP is required in the M1/M2 context.

Motion and vote A motion to approve Resolution No. 05‑25 (demolition and construction of the ~170,582‑sq‑ft, four‑story self‑storage facility; CEQA Class 32 exemption) passed by roll call: Chairperson Medina — Aye; Vice Chairperson Lomeli — Aye; Commissioner Morales — Aye; Commissioner Cuevas — Aye. The motion carried unanimously.

What the approval includes and next steps Staff will process building and plan‑check submittals consistent with the approved site plan and conditions. The applicant has indicated a multi‑million‑dollar investment and said the project would create a small number of on‑site jobs (applicant estimated roughly 3–5 employees). The commission’s approval does not permit outdoor RV storage as part of the self‑storage use; that would be a different use subject to code limitations.

Ending note: The commission balanced a demonstrated local demand and a supportive petition against neighborhood concerns about view impacts and access, and approved the CUP with noted design and buffer conditions to limit impacts on adjacent homes.