A proposal for a self-storage development in Texas Township, Mich., was unanimously rejected on May 12 by the town board following a recommendation by the planning commission. The Texas Township Board of Trustees denied requests from James and Rebecca Steele to change the master land-use plan and extend a conditional rezoning.
May 15, 2014
A proposal for a self-storage development in Texas Township, Mich., was unanimously rejected on May 12 by the town board following a recommendation by the planning commission. The Texas Township Board of Trustees denied requests from James and Rebecca Steele to change the master land-use plan and extend a conditional rezoning.
The Steeles own the property at 7589 S. 8th St., which is zoned for single-family residential and listed as such on the city’s master land-use plan. Currently, self-storage is only permitted in industrial-zoned districts. The property features an empty 1940s commercial building and has no electricity, sewer or water. It’s near a Boy Scout camp, a church and one residential property.
The Texas Township Planning Commission unanimously recommended the board deny the Steeles’ requests at its April 22 meeting, which included a public hearing. Eleven people voiced concerns about an increase in traffic, crime and noise, as well as falling property values should the storage development be approved.
During the meeting, the land owners touted the benefits of adding a second storage facility to the area, including a convenient service for local businesses and multi-family residents. James Steele also noted the town’s only other facility is at full capacity. He estimated the storage business would generate an annual increase of $42,000 in taxes for the town.
The Steeles offered two conditions for the rezoning, including adding no more than 80 percent lot coverage for buildings and asphalt drives and adhering to a planning commission-approved site plan.
Russ Wicklund, the township’s planner, told the source rezoning requests are considered for their consistency with the town’s master plan, surrounding land uses and timeliness.
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