Update 9/13/16 – Despite objections from Barefoot Bay residents, Superior Self Storage of Wichita has received zoning approval and begun construction on phase one of its project near Hoover Road. To secure the go-ahead, Hitschmann agreed to go “above and beyond the normal zoning” to ensure the facility “doesn’t just look like a bunch of metal buildings sitting next to million-dollar homes,” the developer told the source. “It was obviously very long and strenuous, but it’s relieving to get it to go through.”

As part of the rezoning, city officials changed the address of the property to 5800 W. 29th St. to better align with other addresses in the area, the source reported.

The first phase of the project will include 238 units in 14 buildings, with the first spaces expected to be available in January.

6/5/15 – Real estate developer Francis Hitschmann is seeking zoning approval to develop Superior Self Storage of Wichita on 5 acres of land in Wichita, Kan. The Wichita-Sedgwick County Planning Commission discussed the proposal at its June 4 meeting, according to the source. The site at 6008 W. 29th St., just west of Hoover Road, is already partially zoned for commercial usage but requires a conditional-use permit for the development of self-storage.

If approved, the facility will include storage for boats and other watercrafts due to its proximity to several private lakes, Hitschmann, who lives in the community with his family, told the source. “I just kind of see the demand, and I hear neighbors talking,” he said.

Hitschmann has received feedback from residents and made changes to the proposal to reflect their concerns. The initial development will only include 3 acres of the land.

If the zoning request is approved by the planning commission, the proposal will be presented to the Wichita City Council.

Hitschmann is a product engineer for Murfin Drilling Co. Inc., a Wichita-based gas- and oil-production company. He’s also the owner of Automated Treating Systems LLC, which builds products to automate the production-chemical program of a well.

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