The Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a minor Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezoning request in its Aug. 20 meeting that would allow development of a new self-storage, RV storage and administrative office project along John Jacob Astor Avenue south of Casa Grande.
The hearing took place after this issue went to press.
Developer Reverent Ventures LLC is seeking to change the land use for the 8.64-acre site to High Intensity Activity Center from its current mixed designation of High Intensity Activity Center on 1.24 acres and Very Low Density Residential on 7.4 acres. Also under consideration is a rezoning request from Local Business Zone to General Commercial (C-3) Zoning District and the implementation of a Planned Area Development overlay. The PAD would amend development standards and limit uses for the self-storage project.
The current HIAC designation sits in the NWC of the site and joins with separate land already carrying the designation, according to submitted materials.
The submitted project narrative says, “This Project responds to the growing regional demand for secure recreational-vehicle and household storage. It will redevelop an underutilized vacant parcel into a modern, low-impact facility providing needed community infrastructure, long-term tax base, and visual and functional improvements along the interstate corridor.”
The surrounding parcels include vacant land, commercial uses and some low-density residential.
The request says the zoning change would allow for the RV and self-storage development and will provide a useful buffer between the residential lots west of John Jacob Astor Avenue and both the existing and future commercial uses planned east of the roadway.
At the same time, implementation of the PAD will ensure the more intensive commercial uses allowed under C-3 zoning are prohibited to make sure the properties to the west are protected.
While building heights of 40 feet would generally be permitted under the zoning, the PAD proposal limits them to 23 feet.
The conceptual site plan for the gated development shows two buildings, one totaling nearly 60.2KSF and the other at roughly 13.5KSF. There will also be four canopy areas of slightly more than 32KSF each and a 960SF administrative and leasing office.
A neighborhood meeting was held in March. Only one community member attended and was guided through the materials and exhibits. According to the summary, “The attendee raised concerns about traffic issues in the general vicinity and questions about site drainage. The Applicant provided answers as they related to the proposed project and committed to provide follow up information regarding the traffic analysis to be completed for the project and drainage studies.”
Other area residents contacted the project team before the meeting with questions, concerns and statements of support. After residents received the requested materials and project information, responses were generally supportive.
Reverent Ventures LLC is the owner. The design firm is RKAA Architects. EPS Group, Inc. serves as the engineering consultant, and Rose Law Group, pc is the legal representative.
