The Manatee County Planning Board will recommend to county commissioners to approve an Xpress Storage self-storage facility as part of a plan to build 1,600 new homes in a subdivision.

Five local residents appeared during public comment at a board meeting in Bradenton, Fla., last week and opposed the proposed 43,284-square-foot, 24-hour self-storage facility. They posed concerns about noise and increased flooding risk.

However, Bradenton builder Mike Carter spoke on behalf of Xpress Storage and defended the noise concern, saying the complexs 11 buildings will block noise from passing traffic. He also said the project will actualy create better drainage in the area and that storage facilities get little after-hours traffic.

The boards recommendations will go before county commissioners next month.

Xpress Storage is affiliated with Hideaway Storage, an operator with 13 locations across Florida.

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