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New storage rental units approved for construction on Lancaster Road

The business will consist of two 3,600-square-foot buildings, while a third building 4,000 square feet in size could be constructed in the future as office space.
storage
An example of storage rental units. File photo

Two business owners have received permission to construct an indoor storage rental venue on Lancaster Road, even though three similar services exist within the area.

During its Oct. 12 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved a discretionary use application from Robert and Darlinda McEwen for “indoor storage rental facilities” at 39 Lancaster Road. However, they must ensure that the 48 rental units are used as storage only and not for any other commercial purpose, while they must also ensure there are 19 off-street parking stalls and two accessible off-street parking stalls. 

The business will consist of two 3,600-square-foot buildings, while a third building 4,000 square feet in size could be constructed in the future as office space, a council report said. The property is currently zoned C3 vehicle-oriented commercial district, while city administration recommended approval of the application since there was low potential for land-use conflicts.

City council reviews indoor storage rental units on a case-by-case basis to prevent land-use conflicts. 

The zoning bylaw requires discretionary use applications to meet certain criteria before they are recommended for approval, Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development, told council. 

The proposal must conform to all relevant sections of the Official Community Plan (OCP) and any recommendations contained in detailed land use, servicing, or renewal studies. Since this is a vehicle-oriented commercial district, it can meet the needs of many neighbourhoods across the city. 

Secondly, the indoor storage rental buildings would be new developments in a recent commercial/industrial subdivision in the city’s north end. They would provide an amenity that the community would use, while the OCP also encourages projects of this nature.

Thirdly, the storage unit buildings would total 668.9 square metres (7,200 square feet), with a possible future office building of 371.6 square metres (4,000 square feet). Moreover, since this business is located on Lancaster Road, it is a street that can accommodate discretionary use.

“Upgrades to community infrastructure are not anticipated as a result of this application,” Sanson said.

Lastly, this project is unlikely to affect adjacent properties or development. For example, Sanson noted that an electrician’s shop north of the proposed development is the only adjacent property that is occupied. Moreover, indoor storage rental units usually have low-impact use, with no negative effects on adjacent properties due to noise, odour or heavy traffic. 

The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 25. 

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