A proposed zoning amendment under consideration in Marco Island, Fla., would enable Progressive Auto Storage to add traditional self-storage units to its vehicle-storage business, but the petition is opposed by some neighboring self-storage operators. Those in opposition believe the change would give Progressive Auto an unfair advantage in the market.

Progressive Autos facility is a five-story, 156,000-square-foot building, but the company would designate just two stories to traditional self-storage use. Buildings operating in areas zoned C-5, which includes self-storage, are limited to two stories. Progressive Autos location is currently zoned C-4, which allows motor-vehicle storage.

If the councilmen let him do self-storage, like I do, itll wipe me out because I couldnt afford to compete with that big building when I only have a few (49) units, said Tony Pinto, owner of A Pinto Self Storage.

The proposal was previously voted down on April 5 by the Marco Island Planning Board, but Mike Kelly Sr., the father of Progressive Auto Owner Mike Kelly Jr., filed a petition that will bring the amendment before the board today for the second time. Regardless of how the board votes, the issue will ultimately be decided by the Marco Island City Council, according to the source.

The amendment was supported in March by the citys planning department, which said there are already instances where C-5 use is conditionally permitted in C-4 zones, including open-rack boat-storage facilities.

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