Advisory panel votes 4–3 to recommend Columbus rezoning for Harlem Road self‑storage despite neighbor objections

A quasi‑judicial advisory panel recommended approval on Dec. 19 of a Columbus zoning application that would rezone about 4.4 acres along Harlem Road for a two‑story self‑storage facility, despite vocal neighborhood opposition and questions about notifications and traffic.

Shelly, a planning staff member, told the panel that Z24059 (filed by Premier Development Partners) seeks to convert the subject southern portion of two parcels from rural to limited manufacturing to allow a self‑storage facility at 6955–6999 Harlem Road. Staff said the application scored 84% on the review checklist and recommended approval with conditions including adding street trees, increasing visible glazing facing Harlem Road, and using massing that preserves a village‑scale appearance.

Tom Gustafson, who identified himself as part of the applicant team, and his colleague Matt Davis said the project has been revised to respond to prior comments: designers increased setbacks, added hipped roofs and stone and brick accents, and preserved trees along the west property line. The applicant described the building as a two‑story, all‑indoor facility with a gated drive‑through that uses assigned code entry and a staffed office; the team said typical staffing would be about 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with site access permitted from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and that they were open to discussing hour limitations at later stages.

Residents who spoke during public comment said they had not received adequate notice and raised a range of concerns. Laurie Keefer of the Preserve at Rocky Fork told the panel she and neighbors ‘‘felt like we were in a residential neighborhood’’ and asked that a traffic study, additional buffering or mounding, and clearer notification precede further approvals. Diane Storm and other neighbors warned that rezoning parcels along Harlem Road could set a precedent for more commercial conversions. Brett Griffin said he resents a nearby 300‑unit apartment project and asked who would operate the storage facility and what would prevent future 24‑hour operations.

The applicants responded that self‑storage is a low‑traffic use compared with multifamily housing, that the project will be secure and staffed, and that they believe the revised design better fits surrounding development. Tom Gustafson told the panel the market shows ‘‘an excess of 200,000 square feet of additional storage that could be built’’ before supply meets demand in the area.

Panel members debated both design and location. Several said the architectural revisions represented an improvement but questioned whether the parcel — sited between existing apartments and single‑family homes — was the right location. One commissioner said that, if not developed now in a lower‑impact form, the property might otherwise become more intensive multifamily housing.

After discussion, Committee member Dave Paul moved to recommend approval to the City of Columbus; Sellers seconded. The clerk recorded a 4–3 recommendation in favor: Yes — Paul, Sellers, Boney, Siebenaler; No — Herskowitz, Chapelleer, Harper. Chair closed the application and the panel moved on to other items.

Next steps: this advisory recommendation goes to the Columbus development commission for more detailed review, including transportation and other departmental analyses. Staff told residents the city’s planning division will run later public‑notification and review processes for those subsequent stages.

Votes at a glance: The panel approved the 11/21/2024 minutes as amended earlier in the meeting (7‑0). For Z24059 the panel recommended approval to the City of Columbus (4‑3).