Guardian Storage, which operates 16 self-storage facilities in Colorado and Pennsylvania, received initial approval from the city council to build a self-storage facility in Hampton, Pa. In a 4-0 vote on Oct. 28, the council approved the operator’s application for a conditional-use permit in a highway-commercial district. The council adopted an amendment to its zoning ordinance earlier this year, adding self-storage as a conditional use permitted in these districts pending council approval, the source reported.

The plans include a four-building storage facility on the 5.5 acre-property at 4750 Route 8. The site will feature one three-story structure with an office, tenant lounge and retail store, as well as a single-story building and a pair of two-story buildings, the source reported. The buildings will be comprised of brick, glass and steel. Security features will include a 6-foot perimeter fence and video cameras.

Dog Central, a center for dog grooming and daycare that currently occupies the site, is seeking a new location. Evangelo N. Kaparakos purchased the existing building as well as 5.2 adjacent acres of land for $650,000 in April 2007, the source reported.

Only one person spoke in opposition of the storage development during the Oct. 14 public hearing. Joe Alo, owner of nearby Auto Service & Performance, expressed concerns about increased crime, water run-off and the difficulty motorists may have in accessing the property from Route 8. “People always miss that entrance and pull right into my parking lot,” Alo told the source after the hearing.

If the project receives final council approval, Guardian Storage will purchase the property, according to Steve Cohen, company president. Construction would begin in March, with the facility opening in October. The council is scheduled to vote on the revised site plan this month.

Founded in 1987, Guardian Storage owns or manages four self-storage facilities in the Denver metro area and 12 in Greater Pittsburgh, with a total of approximately 1 million square feet of storage space and more than 10,000 units.

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