City officials in Bluffdale, Utah, have approved a conditional-use permit for a proposed self-storage facility along a narrow, 3.17-acre strip of property at 15883 Camp Williams Road. Construction on the 406-unit Towne Storage is expected to begin in May with a completion date scheduled for November.
The project faced opposition from neighboring residents who voiced concerns about increased traffic and poor accessibility. The city ultimately determined the self-storage facility would be “the least impactful use of the commercially zoned property,” according to the source.
The parcel was designated as a general commercial zone approved for gas stations, restaurants, retail and other services. Self-storage required a conditional-use permit. Property owners Sue and Rex Bingham said they had difficulty selling the lot because its long, narrow shape was not conducive to other types of commercial operations.
Mayor Derk Timothy supported the proposal as a sound alternative to other business types in the space. "You could definitely end up with much worse,” he said. “I would rather have these storage units than almost any other permitted use in this zone."
Gary Free, president of Towne Storage Management Co., argued the storage facility would have as much traffic impact on the area as three homes. "There may only be a few visitors in a day,” he said. “Parking is within the fortress. I cannot think of any commercial uses that have less impact."
Free also said the facility would be designed to blend in well with the community. It will be surrounded by brick walls and attractive landscaping, he said.
Towne Storage operates 13 self-storage facilities in Utah and one in Las Vegas.
Sources:
- South Valley Journal: Storage Facility Best Fit for Bluffdale Commercial Area, City Leaders Say
- Towne Storage: Website
