Self-Storage Development Debated in Manayunk Neighborhood of Philadelphia

Self-storage developer Jonathan Manley, principal of Manley Storage Ventures Inc., intends to build a 91,000-square-foot facility at 59 Leverington Ave. in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia. Regardless, members of the Manayunk Neighborhood Council recently rejected Manley’s request for parking and loading-dock variances, according to the source.

The facility would be built on the site of the former Rambo’s Ice House and is already zoned for self-storage; however, the building size proposed by Manley would require 47 parking spots and five loading docks, the source reported. Manley told council members on March 2 that those requirements were excessive for a self-storage facility.

“Based on our own history developing [self-storage] and the amount of traffic self-storage facilities generate, 47 parking spaces will never get used, and it’ll just be a big asphalt lot that’s empty most of the time,” Manley said during the meeting. Instead, he proposed 10 parking spaces, two full-size loading docks and two 20-foot loading docks that would accommodate smaller moving vans. The council rejected the variance requests with a 12-2 vote.

Arguments were made during the meeting that more parking could be necessary to serve the area’s high population of college students, who might need to move during the same weekend, according to the source. It was also suggested the project could be altered with a smaller building and leasable parking spots, but Manley argued the parking area wouldn’t generate enough revenue.

Manley could still opt to reduce the size of the building, but the developer also has the opportunity to submit his proposal to the zoning board of adjustment, which will make the final determination on the variance requests, the source reported.

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