An Extra Space self-storage location proposed for Lee’s Summit, Mo., hit a snag on Aug. 23 when the city council voted 8-1 to send the project back to the planning commission. Applicant WSKF Architects Inc. intends to build a 129,390-square-foot facility on 2.8 acres at 700 S.E. Oldham Court. The project would include three single-story buildings and a four-story, climate-controlled structure totaling 674 units, according to the source.

The council pushed the application back to planners despite having given the site plan and special-use permit preliminary approval on Aug. 9. During the public-hearing portion of the Aug. 23 meeting, several business owners who weren’t present earlier in the month spoke against the development, the source reported.

Those in opposition included Dennis Klein, who owns 50 Highway Self Storage at 953 S.E. Oldham Parkway. Klein estimated there are nine self-storage properties within a 4-mile radius of his site and argued another facility would hurt his business and property value. Others indicated the storage facility could disrupt normal business operation on neighboring properties and worsen storm-water issues already present in the area, according to the source.

Mayor Bill Baird said city planners should re-evaluate the project based on the objections raised during the meeting and consider any revisions. “Since [the preliminary vote], we’ve learned more information, but we’ve not had what I would consider an open dialogue or public hearing in which all of the facts and figures are brought forth,” Baird said during the meeting.

It’s not clear when the planning commission will next review the application.

Based in Kansas City, Mo., WSKF provides architectural, interior-design, master-planning, landscape-design and illustration services.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space Storage Inc. is a real estate investment trust and third-party management firm. The company owns or operates 1,568 self-storage properties in 39 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico. Its properties comprise approximately 1.09 million units and 119 million square feet of rentable space.

Source:
The Kansas City Star, Business Owners, Residents Say ‘Not So Fast’ to LS Storage Biz