Real estate developer Tom Head has submitted a proposal to convert a Boca Raton, Fla., warehouse into a self-storage facility, but the city is considering height restrictions that could delay the project. A principal with Mission Bay Self Storage in West Boca, Fla., Head plans to build two levels of storage units inside the existing 64,000-square-foot structure, but the project has some city officials concerned about the height of future multi-story facilities, according to the source.

Head’s proposed project would include roughly 200 units covering about 70 percent of the building at 1900 N.W. First Court, the source reported. Representatives from development firm Head Properties and the law firm GrayRobinson PA addressed city council members on Nov. 10. The council first discussed the proposal on Aug. 11.

Charles Siemon, director at GrayRobinson, showed the council images of modern, aesthetically pleasing self-storage designs as examples of what could be possible in redeveloping the warehouse, according to the source. "We would not propose to change the physical height or the setbacks, but use performance standards to ensure the facility’s aesthetic qualities, its attractiveness,” Siemon told the council. “The big issue is access doors visible from the street."

While Deputy Mayor Constance Scott said she strongly supported the project, Mayor Susan Haynie said she had “pause for concern about unintended consequences.”

Self-storage is zoned in four areas of Boca Raton, according to the source. While the council doesn’t intend to change the zoning areas, any ordinance concerning height restrictions would need to be prepared by city staff and submitted for review by the city’s planning and zoning board and city council.

Wendy Larsen, project manager for Head Properties and a director at GrayRobinson, told the council that the storage-project team could submit a site plan while the ordinance is being reviewed.

The self-storage facility would be the third developed by Tom Head. He built Mission Bay Self Storage and Federal Highway Self Storage in Deerfield Beach, Fla., in 1998. He has since sold his share of the Federal Highway business, according to the source.

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