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Property owner says gravel lot has served Rainier for decades; conditional permit likely needed for vehicle rental
Summary
Lot owner Mike Allen told council the parcel has been used as parking for about 80 years and said he regraded and graveled it; staff noted motorized rentals in core commercial zones require a conditional-use permit to address intensity and drainage.
Property owner Mike Allen told the council the parcel proposed for an unattended U‑Haul kiosk has functioned as a parking lot for roughly 80 years and that he improved drainage by regraveling the site. "It's ugly as hell when you drive through," Allen said of the lot before he cleaned it up; he said he installed a porous inch-and-0.25 clean gravel to avoid puddling. Allen said he prefers a mobile and temporary installation because he expects future right-of-way or state improvements at the intersection that could affect the parcel.
Allen also reviewed zoning constraints: under the city's core commercial rules, heavy retail and motorized vehicle rental are allowed only with a conditional‑use permit and site-specific mitigation, which can include paving, landscaping or storm drainage improvements. The council took no immediate action and indicated staff should advise applicants on whether the current lot configuration suffices or whether a conditional‑use process will be required.
