Planning board approves Clarence Motor and Sport automotive storage with lease-review condition

The Clarence Planning Board approved the development plan for Clarence Motor and Sport Estates, an automotive self-storage project proposed for the southwest corner of Goodrich Road and County Road. The plan, for about 55 single-story storage units designed for vehicle and leisure storage, was approved with conditions covering engineering sign-offs, landscape and perpetual maintenance, lighting, dumpster enclosures, deed restrictions/bylaws and a requirement that proposed lease language be submitted for town review.

Michael Metzger of Metzger Civil Engineering, representing the applicants, said the plan is nearly identical to the previously approved concept but reduced one unit (from 56 to 55) and that the project has required approvals from the town engineer, Erie County Health Department and Erie County Department of Public Works. Metzger summarized permitting progress, saying the project "we have all of the required approvals from the town engineer, Erie County Health Department, Erie County Department of Public Works, Landscape Committee." Leonard Higgins, an applicant, told the board the project will rely on long-term leases and deed restrictions and said leases are being drafted by attorneys.

Residents voiced concerns about noise, possible vehicle maintenance inside units, and lighting. Ryan Sandler said he was worried about noise and noted that the nearby intersection has become "de facto drag strip," saying, "the corner of county in Goodrich, Missouri, de facto drag strip." The applicants responded that garage doors face inward, the site will have a six-foot privacy fence and evergreen plantings along the perimeter, that there will be no floor drains inside units (so oil-water separator requirements are not triggered), and that lease/deed restrictions will prohibit residential living and commercial operations in the units. Town staff requested the applicant provide a proposed lease template and bylaws for town-attorney review as a condition before certificate-of-occupancy.

Board member Daniel Taika moved to approve the development plan per submitted engineering and architectural drawings, subject to 15 conditions; the motion was amended to require submission of the proposed lease form for town review. The motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The town will require the applicant to provide property restrictions, bylaws or a proposed lease agreement as part of the conditions prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.