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Shipping‑container self‑storage pitched for Route 22 site; planners outline paving, glazing and PennDOT steps
Summary
Michael Mann proposed a ~100‑unit shipping‑container self‑storage facility on about 2.6 acres at 6000 William Penn Highway. Murrysville staff said applicants will need a site survey, paving and stormwater plans, a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit, landscaping and fencing that meet local ordinance standards, and a concept/land‑development submission.
Michael Mann, owner of Mann's Cans, told the Murrysville Planning Commission on Dec. 9 that he is considering placing about 100 modified shipping containers as a mini‑warehouse self‑storage facility on roughly 2.6 acres next to 6000 William Penn Highway in the B Business zoning district.
Mann asked several practical questions about construction standards and municipal requirements, including whether containers must sit on pavement or may sit on stone with only access aisles paved. Staff explained that the storage units’ floors may be set on compacted stone in places, but driving aisles and parking/driving lanes must meet the township’s pavement and width requirements. Mann said his units could be modified cosmetically; a commissioner replied that Murrysville requires 'glazing' on facades in some commercial locations and encouraged attractive front treatments. Mann said, “We can literally take the front of the all those and make them look gorgeous with beautiful windows in there.”
Staff reviewed ordinance requirements for mini‑warehouse self‑storage: one parking space per 100 storage units plus one additional space for each employee on the largest shift; minimum six‑foot decorative fence (with screening and landscaping if bordering arterial streets or residential areas); and adherence to performance standards for noise, smoke and vibration. Staff also noted lane‑width requirements for driving and parking aisles and advised including turning radii and hammerhead/turnaround details on the site plan for fire and service vehicles.
On permitting, staff told Mann he should begin with an existing‑conditions survey and have a land‑development engineer prepare a site plan showing setbacks, pavement, impervious areas and landscape calculations. Because the site fronts Route 22, Mann will need a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit for access; PennDOT may also require a traffic study or trip‑generation computations. Stormwater management, erosion and sediment control measures and any required NPDES permitting must be shown on the plan.
Next steps: staff advised the applicant to retain an engineer experienced in Murrysville ordinances, prepare a high‑level concept plan and then a full land‑development submission addressing stormwater, landscaping, access, fencing and PennDOT requirements. No formal approval or vote on the concept occurred at the meeting.
