Though Inyo County, Calif., supervisors rejected a zoning appeal from property owners Cindy and Kent Schlick that would have allowed development of a self-storage facility in the Big Pine, Calif., Central Business District, the board gave the go ahead for planners to allow a conditional-use permit. The move is a step forward for the Schlicks, who want to build the facility on a vacant site along Main Street, just north of the U.S. Post Office, according to the source.

County supervisors reviewed the proposal because the Schlicks appealed a planning-commission rejection of their zoning application. Planning director Cathreen Richards told the board that overturning the commission’s decision would set a bad precedent and allow self-storage “in all central business zones.” County planning staff had determined self-storage wasn’t a compatible use on Main Street.

Kent Schlick argued that zoning restrictions in Big Pine were out of date and that “over 50 percent of Big Pine storefronts are vacant.” He also told supervisors he had unanimous support for the project from the Big Pine Civic Club and approval signatures from 15 of 16 local business owners.

Supervisors directed Richards to allow self-storage as a conditional use within central business districts. The process could take up to three months, the source reported.

Source:
The Sheet, Denied … And Yet Approved