The Crest Hill Plan Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council conditionally approve Extra Space Storage LLC’s expansion at 1812 North Larkin Avenue, forwarding the item after a public hearing held Jan. 8.

City planner Atifa told commissioners the proposal would consolidate four lots, revise drainage and utility easements, remove a 980‑square‑foot portion of an existing building, and construct a new 26,000‑square‑foot, one‑story climate‑controlled storage building on an adjacent 1.74‑acre vacant parcel. Atifa said the parcel has no public roadway frontage and is effectively landlocked, and staff recommended approval of the preliminary and final plat, special‑use requests, and a variance to reduce the masonry façade requirement to 0% under applicable sections of the Crest Hill zoning code.

Alexa Falba, a civil engineer with Kimley‑Horn representing the applicant, described planned site work including new water taps for fire protection, storm sewer and electric extensions, and regrading and renovation of an existing stormwater detention pond. "We are proposing a 26,000 square foot 1 story climate controlled building," Falba said, adding that the project includes enhanced landscape screening along property lines to comply with code.

Architect Mike Ofterheide of SGW Architects walked commissioners through the building elevations, noting three loading doors with canopies and a mix of enclosed and exterior‑access units. A representative for Extra Space Storage told the commission the existing facility is about "95% occupied," which the applicant said motivated the expansion; the representative also said the Knapp Road entrance, currently serving more as emergency egress, would be upgraded to an active gated entrance with code access and a loop detector for automatic opening.

Neighbor Constance Jarrett, who lives in Little Falls Subdivision, asked whether new direct access to Knapp Road was planned; staff and the applicant clarified the smaller rear parcels currently lack public frontage, and that the primary public access will continue to be from Larkin Avenue and the existing Knapp Road entry, which will be modified to provide controlled access. Commissioners discussed that Larkin Avenue is not a city road and that county access rules constrain new full access points.

Commissioner Gordon Butler said he had visited the site and supported the cleanup and improvements around the retention pond, and Commissioner John Stanton questioned market demand; the applicant cited strong occupancy and that the parcel owner had approached the company about selling the land. Chair read the commission’s finding that required standards in Section 12.6‑2 of the Crest Hill zoning ordinance were met.

By motion of Commissioner Jeff Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Cheryl Slobozeski, the commission voted unanimously to recommend conditional approval subject to eight staff conditions. The recommendation will be considered at a City Council workshop on Jan. 26 and at a council meeting on Feb. 2 for final action.

The plan commission’s recommendation is advisory; final permits and any building or access construction remain subject to city council action and any required permits from county or other agencies.