A proposed self-storage facility in Billerica, Mass., cleared its first hurdle on Oct. 5 when the town’s body of representatives approved an overlay that will add self-storage as an additional use for a 6.4-acre parcel at 26 Cook St. The applicant intends to convert the existing structure, known by residents as the “old peanut factory,” to as many as 1,300 storage units.

The property was previously approved for light-industrial use. “Climate-controlled self-service storage is far more desirable to the contiguous neighborhoods than the current permitted uses,” attorney James Dangora Jr. told town representatives. “This is a far less obnoxious and more benign use of industrial property.”

Marti Mahoney, a town representative and member of the planning board, called the development “a great project for Cook Street. It is better than what is there now.”

The Billerica Representative Town Meeting comprises about 240 representatives from 11 precincts. The body passed Articles 45 and 46 by votes of 161-1 and 157-3, respectively. The project must still be reviewed by other town boards and committees before receiving final approval, the source reported.

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