Fuquay-Varina, NC, Poised to Approved 2nd Controversial Self-Storage Project

A rezoning request that would enable H H & H Ministorage to expand its self-storage facility onto 2.4 acres of residential property appears to be favored by the Fuquay-Varina, N.C., Board of Commissioners, despite recommendations against the application from town staff and the planning board. If approved, it would be the second time since July that the board will have acted against the recommendation of town planners and residential opposition in favor of self-storage, according to the source.

The H H & H project requires the rezoning of several residential plots along North Broad Street but would enable the Holleman family to complete the final phase of the self-storage facility, which has served the community since 1998. The expansion would be built on land away from the road, but staff and town planners favored other retail uses due to the property’s proximity to Fuquay-Varina High School. Wayne Mauldin, a surveyor working with the Hollemans on the project, noted during a meeting earlier this month that no developers had previously proposed retail in the area and argued other retail uses would worsen school traffic, the source reported.

“I see the merit in continuing a project that’s been phased in over a number of years,” commissioner Marilyn Gardner said during the Sept. 6 meeting. “I think we can only benefit with the interchange between the town staff and the petitioners, and I think it would be an opportunity to display some public art.”

The art component is an idea put forth by Curtis Holleman, a partner with H H & H, who has been working with local art groups about displaying resident artwork on the storage buildings, according to the source.

Though the board is inclined to pass the rezoning request when it reviews that application again next month, it sent the matter back to town staff to work with the self-storage operator on building aesthetics. H H & H intended to include brick facades and proposed a 6-foot aluminum fence between the new buildings and street, the source reported.

“I don’t want to ugly it up around our high school,” Mayor John Byrne said. “But I think there’s a way to do it where it fits in.”

In July, commissioners approved a self-storage facility in one of the largest neighborhoods in Fuquay-Varina. The project was heavily opposed by residents, the source reported.

H H & H at 204 Scholl St. currently has eight self-storage buildings and outdoor vehicle-storage spaces. It offers 24-hour access with keycode entry and has security fencing and video cameras, according to its website.

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