Self-Storage Development and Zoning Activity: March 2022

Update 6/23/22 – Willow Partners Redevelopment received zoning approval to build Brink Self Storage. The four-story structure will comprise 100,000 square feet on 2 acres. Budzinski will continue his efforts to remove contaminated soil from the site. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will oversee the removal. Contaminated dirt will be shipped to Clean Earth, an environmental-remediation company.

6/7/22 – The Seymour Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to continue its public hearing on Thursday to discuss the Brink Self Storage project proposed by Willow Partners Redevelopment. The project received unanimous approval from the Seymour Inland Wetlands Commission on May 23, though commissioners added about 30 conditions Budzinski will have to meet. Most of the conditions were standard for projects that must meet wetlands regulations and perform environmental clean-up, according to a source. If the development is approved, Budzinski indicated clean-up efforts would begin this summer, though he didn’t have a timetable for when construction would start.

4/28/22 – The Goshen, Indiana, City Council unanimously rejected the zoning request and site plan by Abonmarche Consultants and HSN LLC to build an automated self-storage facility in the Willow Lakes of Goshen residential development. Last month the planning commission recommended the council approve the project, but some community members were against it. The proposal called for the construction of eight buildings containing 288 units near a 55-plus retirement community known as The Willows. The council was presented with a petition signed by 151 people opposing the development.

4/19/22 – Plans for the four-story Brink Self Storage project proposed by Willow Partners Redevelopment were unveiled at an April 14 public meeting for the Seymour Planning & Zoning Commission. The commission continued the hearing to May 12 to allow for input from an April 25 review scheduled by the Inland Wetlands Commission. If the development is approved, Willow Partners will purchase the parcel for $1.2 million. The storage business would generate more than $300,000 in town taxes annually, according to a source.

The property formerly housed Housatonic Wire Co., which produced steel wire for notebook bindings and paperclips. The company was founded in 1978 by Budzinski and his late father, John. It closed in 2008 after Budzinski sold the business to Taconic Wire. The building remained vacant until an accidental fire in 2010 destroyed most of it. What remained was demolished in 2014.

4/12/22 – A March 28 public hearing to discuss the Brink Self Storage project proposed by Willow Partners Redevelopment was rescheduled after it was discovered that the applicant failed to notify the 17 property owners near the parcel in Seymour, Connecticut, within the required 15 days. Though members of the Seymour Planning & Zoning Commission were in attendance, along with property owner Budzinski and project engineer George Andrews, local community members were notably absent. Andrews acknowledge the oversight and requested a 30-day extension, which the council unanimously granted. The $13 million project will now be discussed in a new public meeting on April 14, then again with the Seymour Inland Wetlands Commission on April 25.

3/17/22 – The global self-storage development pipeline continues to be extremely dynamic. Inside Self-Storage regularly covers new projects being planned and approved as well as zoning and other municipal issues. Following is additional activity taking place in March 2022.

The Goshen, Indiana, Planning Commission recommended approval for a request by Abonmarche Consultants and HSN LLC to build an automated self-storage facility in the Willow Lakes of Goshen residential development. The site at the southeast corner of Ferndale Road and Willows Way would need rezoning to a commercial or industrial district. The city council will review the zoning amendment along with a site plan that includes lighting and landscaping features not currently allowed on the property. Abonmarche is an architectural design and consulting firm. HSN is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based warehousing and storage firm.

Douglas Development Corp. intends to convert a portion of the Reading Station mall in Reading, Pennsylvania, to self-storage. The property at 600 Sprint St. is owned under affiliate Jemals Reading Station LLC. Douglass has applied for setback variances as well as for permission to subdivide about 18 acres of the property into 2.5-acre parcels. If approved, the facility will be managed by self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) CubeSmart. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Douglas operates a real estate portfolio of more than 10 million rentable square feet.

Charles Lammers received site-plan approval for a self-storage project in Findlay, Ohio. He intends to develop three storage buildings at the northwest corner of Lincoln Street and Western Avenue. The floor area of the structures would comprise a total of about 8,000 square feet.

Livonia Budget Storage opened in Livonia, Michigan. The facility at 29150 W. Seven Mile was converted from a Toys R Us store, which closed in 2018. The two-story building offers indoor, climate-controlled units and is co-managed by brothers Nino and Tony Ruggirello. The property is owned by Novi, Michigan-based Budget Storage, which also operates facilities in Brownstown, Clarkston, Portage and Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Public Storage Inc., a self-storage REIT and management company, is developing a new facility in Hutto, Texas. Plans for 2687 FM 685 include four stories of climate-controlled storage. Construction for the $7 million project will begin in July, with completion slated for August 2023. Based in Glendale, California, Public Storage has interests in 2,787 self-storage facilities in 39 states, with approximately 198 million net rentable square feet.

The Blythewood, South Carolina, Planning Commission voted unanimously against rezoning a 7-acre parcel to allow self-storage. Developer Taimi Ta’ala seeks to build a 300-unit facility with outdoor vehicle storage in the 11000 block of Wilson Boulevard, but the project requires changing the parcel from a development district to a commercial development/architectural overlay district. Five residents spoke against it during a recent planning meeting, arguing self-storage is incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Some also argued that other business uses made possible under the new zoning, such as tattoo parlors and nightclubs, would also be undesirable. The city council is scheduled to make a final decision on the application on March 28.

True Storage, which owns seven facilities, has converted a manufacturing building in Warwick, Rhode Island, to self-storage. The company purchased the property at 1280 Jefferson Blvd. from Interplex Holdings Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based technology and engineering firm. The single-story structure comprises 60,000 square feet in 455 climate-controlled units. It’ll be managed by self-storage REIT CubeSmart and branded under its name. Based in New Hampshire, True Storage focuses on ground-up construction and conversion projects.

Vault Self Storage at 98 Sluse Road in Holland Landing, Ontario, Canada, completed its phase-two expansion, adding drive-up, heated units to the facility. With 15-foot high ceilings and power options, the units will be targeted toward contractors and other businesses with large equipment. The facility is managed by Apple Self Storage, which operates 40 facilities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada.

West Avenue Holdings is seeking to amend the site layout for a 404-unit self-storage development it proposed for Old Beatty Ford Road in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Rowan County Board of Commissioners approved a zoning request made last year by Raymond McMillan Jr. on the developer’s behalf. However, the initial site plan has been deemed unfit for the site because of a stream. The new plan involves building on only 2 acres of the 6-acre site, which comprises two tax parcels rather than one, with the entrance extending from Bostian Road.

Florida-based investment company Willow Partners Redevelopment is interested in purchasing a 4.5-acre property in Seymour, Connecticut, on which it plans to build a four-story self-storage facility. The proposed Brink Self Storage at 109 River St. would comprise 99,000 square feet. A site plan has been submitted to the planning and zoning commission as well as to the Inland Wetlands Commissions because the parcel contains contaminated soil. Property owner Alex Budzinski is attempting to remediate the land and work with the state under its Voluntary Remediation Program, which monitors clean-up efforts. He told the commissions the property has been on the market for 16 years but has had little development interest until now. It’s zoned commercial/light industrial, and self-storage is an allowable use.

The East Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania, board of supervisors unanimously approved a proposal from an unnamed developer to build a vehicle-storage facility on a 13-acre property. The parcel is along Pennsylvania Route 283 near the exit for State Road.

3/3/22 – The global self-storage development pipeline continues to be extremely dynamic. Inside Self-Storage regularly covers new projects being planned and approved as well as zoning and other municipal issues. Following is activity taking place in March 2022.

At Home Self Storage will open in Owensboro, Kentucky, next month. The facility at 306 E. 25th St. is owned by Bill Jagoe, who’s developing the project with his brother, Scott. It’ll comprise 63,000 square feet of storage.

Property owner Continental 182 Fund LLC applied to rezone a 10.16-acre parcel in Tallahassee, Florida, to pave the way for a self-storage project. The property at 6785 Thomasville Road is under contract for purchase, and the new owner intends to convert the existing 99,162-square-foot former Kohl’s store, which has been vacant since 2016. The zoning must first change from commercial to an office-residential district, which allows multi-family, office and self-storage uses. Continental 182 Fund is an affiliate of Continental Properties, a Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based company that develops, owns and operates apartment, retail and hospitality real estate nationwide.

The Draper Family intends to build a three-story self-storage facility on 1.5 acres in Danbury, Connecticut. The new building at 12 Great Pasture Road would comprise 48,000 square feet in 470 units. Existing structures would be demolished, except for a home, which will be downsized and converted to an office. Though there are 10 storage facilities within a three-mile radius of the site, eight are 100% occupied and the other two are above 95%. During a recent meeting, Ethan Draper told planners there’s 300,000 square feet of unmet storage demand in the submarket. Planners asked for more details about parking and precautions to protect the property’s floodplain. The $2 million project has already received a wetland permit and a variance for land size.

A vote on a zoning request by EBS Sylvania to build a three-story facility in Sylvania, Ohio, has been postponed by the Lucas County Plan Commission to March 23. The 1.65-acre property at 3955 N. McCord Road is zoned agriculture and neighborhood commercial. The 96,720-square-foot facility would be managed and branded by self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) CubeSmart. Planning staff have recommended that the commission reject the proposal due to its size and potential impact on neighboring properties.

Evans Parc LLC received preliminary site-plan approval to build Evans Road Warehouse Park in Berlin, Maryland. The 5-acre parcel on Evans Road is adjacent to West Street. Plans include constructing 10 single-story self-storage buildings containing 511 total units and a 400-square-foot management office. The developer must address the planning commission’s concerns on landscaping, lighting and signage to gain final approval.

Real estate developer Futura Co. is building a four-story self-storage facility in Orlando, Florida. Nona Cove Self Storage at 14806 Narcoossee Road will comprise 98,448 rentable square feet in 1,046 units and 7,593 square feet of ground-floor retail space. It’ll be part of the Futura at Nona Cove mixed-use project that also includes multi-family housing. The self-storage facility is scheduled to be complete this year. It’ll be managed by real estate investment trust (REIT) Extra Space Storage Inc. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Futura specializes in mixed-use neighborhood communities.

Hernandez Development LLC broke ground on a self-storage facility in Oswego, Illinois. The property at 1945 Wiesbrook Road will comprise 119,000 square feet in 983 climate-controlled units as well as 29 covered and 16 uncovered vehicle-storage spaces. The project is expected to be complete by year-end. With offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Chicago, Hernandez specializes in services including construction management, due diligence, feasibility and real estate consulting.

The owner of Mint Hill Self Storage, which operates two facilities in Charlotte and Mint Hill, North Carolina, is seeking zoning approval to expand his business. Wendell Long hopes to purchase 10 acres of residential property at 14211 Cabarrus Road, which is adjacent to his Charlotte property. Plans include six climate-controlled buildings and outdoor vehicle storage. Long presented his idea to the planning commission during a developer workshop last month to gain feedback. He has a verbal agreement to purchase the property, but a formal contract is pending planning approval.

The Palm Coast, Florida, City Council allowed three self-storage projects to move forward along Old Kings Road. OKR Investors LLC received rezoning approval for two parcels on a 23-acre site between Interstate 95 and Old Kings Road on which to build a Secure Space self-storage facility. The zoning was changed from office to general commercial and given a special exception. The proposed structure would comprise 95,500 square feet of traditional self-storage and 287 covered vehicle-storage spaces. The change was granted despite significant opposition from residents of nearby subdivisions and an assisted-living facility. OKR acquired the land in 2018 for $2.5 million.

The council also approved a special exception for 13 acres on the east side of Old Kings Road just north of the entrance to the Toscana subdivision. The decision will allow Jeffrey and Robert Friedman to develop a six-building RF2 Storage facility comprising 155,600 square feet in 698 units and 127 covered vehicle-storage spaces. Though residents didn’t protest the project at the time of rezoning, they subsequently have filed appeals against the RF2 and Secure Space developments, arguing they aren’t compatible with the residential neighborhoods and will create traffic hazards.

In addition, the council approved the site plan for a self-storage project on 36 acres on the west side of Old Kings Road between Matanzas Woods Parkway and Palm Coast Parkway.Tony Kostantinidis received a special exception nearly three years ago, but the project was delayed while the owner attempted to meet several conditions set forth by the city, including solutions for the property’s wetlands and flood plains. King’s Crossing Storage will comprise 69,741 square feet in 838 units. Kostantinidis was denied a request to include outdoor vehicle storage.

Prime Group Holdings LLC, a New York-based real estate group that owns self-storage and other types of real estate, intends to develop a six-story mixed-use project in Saratoga Springs, New York, that’ll include storage space. The 220,000-square-foot structure at 269 Broadway would include a two-level, underground parking garage, rooftop solar panels and community green space. Now under consideration by the planning board, the project was approved last month by the design review commission after undergoing several revisions. The project has faced opposition—including a petition with 800 signatures—from some officials and community members who argue it’s too big for the downtown area. Project attorney Michael Toohey argued that zoning on the .75-acre parcel allows a 70-foot building height, and that the size of the project is comparable to that of surrounding structures. Headquartered in Saratoga Springs, Prime Group operates the Prime Self Storage brand. Its operating portfolio of 255 facilities comprises more than 18.7 million rentable square feet.

The construction of Rando Sahuarita Self Storage & RV in Sahuarita, Arizona, is underway. Expected to open by the end of the year, the facility will comprise 86,641 square feet in 560 climate-controlled and drive-up units. It’ll also contain more than 100 vehicle-storage spaces. Construction and management services are provided by 180 Self-Storage LLC, a Gilbert, Arizona-based self-storage management and consulting company.

S. Colony 1074 LLC received approval to build a three-story self-storage facility next to the former Zandri’s Stillwood Inn in Wallingford, Connecticut. Once complete, the 30,000-square-foot structure will be managed by CubeSmart. The REIT operates an office from the former banquet building, while Jim Zandri uses its kitchen space for Zandri’s Catering Service Inc. Smaller warehouses on the site will be demolished, and the town will receive 50 feet of wetlands. The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approved the plan in November, as much of the 12.24-acre property is in wetlands. Town officials requested a stormwater-management system and a lighting plan from the developer, and placed a $6,000 sediment- and erosion-control bond on the project.

Norway-based Self Storage Group ASA (SSG) has agreed to purchase a property in Skien, Norway, for NOK 8.5 million on which it intends to build a new facility. Expected to open in the second quarter of 2023, the 3,100-square-meter building will operate under the company’s City Self Storage brand. SSG operates 128 facilities across Scandinavia under the City Self-Storage and OK Minilager brand names. Its portfolio comprises 171,800 square meters.

StoragePRO Management Inc. opened a new self-storage facility in Fairfield, California. Built on 5 acres at 475 Lopes Road, the property comprises 131,000 square feet in 930 units. GC Construction and Development Inc. served as general contractor. Founded in 1975 and based in Walnut Creek, California, StoragePRO owns or manages nearly 100 self-storage facilities across eight western states.

SurePoint Self Storage is developing a three-story facility in Conroe, Texas, near Houston. The building near Interstate 45 and Highway 336 will comprise 94,000 rentable square feet in 744 units and serve the Grand Central Park master-planned community. It’ll be managed by CubeSmart and branded under its name. The project is scheduled to begin this fall and be complete in May 2023. Led by Jeff Bailey, Brian Cisarik and Robert Loeb, SurePoint owns seven self-storage facilities in the Houston area and five location around San Antonio.

West Delaware Storage LLC received preliminary approval to develop a facility in Delaware City, Delaware. Plans for the 11-acre site on the south side of Pittsburgh Drive and east of South Section Line Road include 11 buildings comprising 101,200 square feet in 500 units. It’ll also contain 35 interior units for vehicle storage and 120 outdoor vehicle-storage spaces.

New Source:
Valley Independent Sentinel, Self-Storage Project In Seymour Could Be Approved This Week
Valley Independent, Self Storage Facility Approved in Seymour

Previous Sources:
Community Impact Newspaper, Plans for New Mcalister’s Deli and Public Storage Facility
Hometown Life, Self-Storage Facility Opens in Former Toys R Us Building on Seven Mile In Livonia
Lancaster Online, Storage Facility for Large Vehicles Approved for 13-Acre East Hempfield Lot Near Route 283
NEREJ, True Storage Opens 60,000 S/F Self-Storage Facility in Warwick
PRWeb, Vault Self Storage Opens Phase 2 Storage Units
Reading Eagle, Former Reading Outlet Center May Become Self-Storage Facility
REBusiness Online, True Storage Completes 455-Unit Self-Storage Facility in Warwick, Rhode Island
Salisbury Post, Commissioners Will Consider Amended Zoning Request for Mini-Storage Facility on Old Beatty Ford Road
The Courier, Storage Facility Plans Approved
The Voice, Commission Says ‘No’ to Self-Storage Facility
Valley Independent Sentinel, Self-Storage Facility on Tap For Long Vacant Land in Seymour
Yahoo News, Plans for New Self-Storage Facility Move Forward
Valley Independent Sentinel, Two Public Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Seymour Storage Facility
Valley Independent Sentinel, Seymour Holds Public Hearing on Self-Storage Facility
The Goshen News, Council Rejects Proposal for New Self-Storage Facility
Bayside Gazette, Berlin Planning Likes Evans Road Storage Deal
The Blade, 100,000-Square-Foot Indoor Self-Storage Facility Proposed for Sylvania Township
Connect CRE, Hernandez Breaks Ground on 119,00-SF Self Storage
The Daily Gazette, Lawyer: Saratoga Springs’ Zoning Allows for Proposed Six-Story Mixed-Use Building on Broadway
Daily Inter Lake, Storage Company Expands Across State Lines
Delaware Gazette, Storage Facility Eyes Delaware
Flagler Live, Another Self-Storage Facility for Old Kings Road, a Car Wash Near Starbucks and Taco Bell on SR100
Flagler Live, City Approves Self-Storage Facility on Old Kings Road, Near Hidden Lakes, Against Public Opposition
Flagler Live, Palm Coast Clears Way for 2nd Self-Storage Facility in 24 Hours on Old Kings Road, Near Toscana
Flagler Live, Residents of Hidden Lakes and Toscana Appeal Palm Coast Approvals of 2 Self-Storage Lots on Old Kings
Greenwich Time, Bethel Business School Grad Wants to Capitalize on Danbury’s ‘Unmet’ Self-Storage Demand With $2M Project
Matthews Mint Hill Weekly, Self Storage Business in Mint Hill Plans for Expansion
Messenger-Inquirer, At Home Self Storage to Open in April
Market Screener, Self Storage Group ASA - Acquisition of New Property in Skien, Norway
Multi-Housing News, Futura Lands $16M Financing for Orlando Storage Property
My Record Journal, Self-Storage Building Slated for Former Zandri’s Stillwood Inn in Wallingford
REBusiness Online, SurePoint to Develop 744-Unit Self-Storage Facility in Conroe, Texas
Sylvania Township, Indoor Self-Storage Facility