Zoning Board adjourns hearing on proposed five‑story self‑storage at 219 West Third Street

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 20 voted to adjourn review of a proposed five‑story self‑storage building at 219 West Third Street to its Feb. 10 meeting, after board members said they needed more information on scale, setbacks and neighborhood impacts. The applicant, 230 W Third Storage LLC, is represented by architect Tom Abillama and attorney Jack Addesso.

The owner seeks multiple area variances to build on a 21,074‑square‑foot lot in the Commercial Business (CB) zone, including approval for a five‑story, 67.5‑foot structure and reduced parking. The application materials submitted to the ZBA list required parking at 22 spaces and a proposed 16 spaces (variance requested: 6 spaces, 27%), and note requested increases in building height and coverage. Assistant Planning Commissioner Lukas Herbert told the board the application will also go before the Planning Board, the Architectural Review Board and the City Council for a proposed curb cut.

Attorney Jack Addesso said the project was previously presented to the City Council in 2021 and that the Council approved the project with five stories and 16 parking spaces. "This project was presented to the City Council in 2021 as there was no zoning in place for self‑storage buildings," Addesso said, and asked the ZBA to proceed on the basis of that prior review. The Chair pushed back, saying the current zoning overlay and the variances now requested are not identical to what was before the Council.

The Chair also raised concerns about the building’s proximity to a residential neighborhood, noting a lack of buffering and requesting a shadow study. "The Chair said that the property is adjacent to a residential neighborhood, and there is a problem with the setback. He said a shadow study should be conducted as there is no buffer between the building and the homes," the transcript records. Public commenter Inara Schwartz told the board she believed the project would "devalue the surrounding neighborhood properties" and called the building "too big and untenable."

Commissioners emphasized that any relief should be the minimum necessary. The applicant requested an adjournment to review prior City Council records and to work with staff on possible revisions; Commissioner Elvira Castillo moved to adjourn the application to Feb. 10, Commissioner Blondel Pinnock seconded, and the motion carried 4‑0.

The board did not take a final vote on variances. The ZBA asked the applicant to provide prior City Council materials, updated zoning analyses, and any shadow‑ or traffic‑impact information the applicant can assemble before the Feb. 10 meeting.