The William Warren Group (WWG), a privately held real estate company that operates the StorQuest Self Storage brand, is seeking to convert a former Los Angeles taco shop into a four-story storage facility. The property at 2803 W. Broadway, which once housed Ernie Jr.’s Taco House, has been vacant for nearly four years, according to the source.
The plans include construction of a nearly 85,000-square-foot building, with glass walls overlooking El Verano Avenue and West Broadway. In its application, WWG requested permission to build the site taller and higher than normally allowed by the city, and to provide 14 parking spots instead of the required 38.
The company is also seeking an exemption from design and other development guidelines for the area. To justify its request, the developer noted the community needs more storage following the state’s efforts to legalize garage and accessory-building conversions into living spaces. “Therefore, self-storage facilities located in close vicinity to densely populated communities/neighborhoods serve a much-needed service for residents themselves,” the application stated.
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council’s land-use committee has recommended opposing the current proposal. The council would like to see the project follow the existing development guidelines, the source stated.
The Eagle Rock Association, a neighborhood group, has yet to take a position on the project, but plans to meet with developer this week, according to Greg Merideth, association president. Residents surveyed by the association in 2015 stated they’d support the effort. “At that time, the vast majority of them favored the storage facility because it would likely generate less noise, traffic and parking issues,” Merideth said.
Founded in 1994 and based in Santa Monica, Calif., WWG acquires, develops and operates 128 self-storage facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina and Texas.
