Commission approves Winchester self‑storage project with condition to revise metal siding

The Riverside County Planning Commission on Oct. 22 approved Conditional Use Permit 190012, a proposal for a 6.98‑acre self‑storage development at the southwest corner of Winchester and Keller Road in the county’s Third District.

Staff planner Blanca Bernardino presented the proposal and accompanying Mitigated Negative Declaration (EA 1975). The project package described eight buildings totaling about 104,144 square feet and a combined 849 units in multiple building types (Buildings A–H), landscaping and architectural treatments intended to meet Third and Fifth District design guidelines. Public notice produced one written letter of opposition; concerns cited in public comments and in the initial study included traffic, public safety, noise, construction dust, aesthetics and cumulative impacts. Planning recommended adoption of the MND and approval of the CUP subject to conditions of approval.

Commissioners asked for and received clarification on hours (office open 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; storage facility access 7 a.m.–7 p.m., not 24‑hour access) and on an on‑site dump station. During design review, commissioners raised concerns that portions of the proposed exterior metal siding appeared visually similar to corrugated or industrial paneling and could create an unwanted warehouse or "hangar" appearance when viewed from public streets. Architect Craig Mann said the street elevations combine stone, simulated wood siding and metal panels with indentations, not full corrugated roofing. Commissioners asked the applicant to work with staff to identify an alternative finish or treatment that would avoid the industrial appearance.

Staff advised two workable paths: (1) add a condition of approval requiring that the identified metal siding be replaced with an alternative material acceptable to staff; or (2) return revised elevations to the commission for final design review. The commission directed staff and the applicant to implement the material substitution as a condition and to return options as a consent item if needed.

Commissioner Sanchez moved to adopt staff recommendations with the updated hours and a condition to work with staff on the metal material for street‑facing buildings; the motion was seconded and passed 4–0.

Clarifying details: the MND process addressed the single written comment received during review; staff stated that mitigation measures in the initial study would reduce identified impacts to less‑than‑significant levels. The added design condition requires the applicant to substitute the specific metal sidings facing Winchester and Keller with an alternative material or treatment to staff satisfaction, with the possibility of returning design samples to the commission as a consent agenda item.