A request for a special use permit that would allow for a recreational vehicle storage facility was tabled at the latest Seward City Council meeting.
The issue was brought to the council during its Nov. 20 meeting. Building/Zoning and Code Enforcement Director Ed Gonzalez said the applicant, Katherine D’Agostino of Storage Ninjas, wants to build the facility between Walnut and Spruce streets, west of Pine Street.
The area in question is zoned I-1, light industrial, and is across the street from Twin Oaks Mobile Home and RV Park.
Residents of a nearby neighborhood on Cottonwood and Redwood roads spoke against the facility.
The item was ultimately tabled because the Unified Land Development Ordinance has confusing language on the matter, according to Gonzalez.
The council directed the administration to clarify the language and bring the issue back to the planning commission and the council.
The planning commission voted 6-3 to deny the permit on Nov. 19.
“The City has to decide where is the best location for an RV Storage facility to be placed, which will cause the least amount of negative impact to surrounding properties,” Gonzalez’s report states.
D’Agostino said the Storage Ninjas facility should be allowed because there are two other storage facilities in the area already, neither has a fence and one allows RV storage.
She said her facility would have a fence. Gonzalez said Nov. 26 the facility on Birch Road that currently allows RV storage does not have the permit to do so.
D’Agostino said she thinks industrial zoning is the correct place for an RV storage facility. She said the business would help people be good neighbors by giving them a place to store RVs besides their driveways.
Tom Matzke, who owns ZKE Storage in the area, said the RV storage might be seen from Highway 15.
Tom Thalls, who lives in the nearby neighborhood, said Matzke has a valid point.
“I want them [visitors] to see our best foot forward,” Thalls said.
He also said the RV storage could be seen by his neighborhood.
“We’re a neighborhood that doesn’t like change,” Thalls said.
Councilmember Chris Schmit said he was frustrated the city is in this predicament because of the facility that allows RV storage without a permit.
“We can’t rely on complaints from citizens,” Schmit said, adding that it’s embarrassing the city hasn’t addressed the issue.
Councilmember Ellen Beck said the council cannot make a fair decision until the ordinance language is figured out.
The board also tabled a separate item to rezone land near the Redwood and Cottonwood roads neighborhood from industrial to residential-3. Read more about this topic HERE.
amanda@sewardindependent.com
