In a contentious battle between big storage and local residents, the city of Avondale has axed plans for a new self-storage facility. After considering the potential impact on the community for nearly two years, city officials and Avondale residents have delivered a blow to Extra Space Storage's ambitions to erect a large-scale storage site amidst their homes.
An application submitted for the construction of the 110,620-square-foot self-storage facility was denied following a standstill in the Avondale Planning Commission due to a 2-2 tie vote on February 21. Despite city staff recommending approval, local opposition has put a halt on the project, as residents blasted the proposal citing concerns over the excess of storage facilities already in the area and potential traffic woes, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.
The Guardian Storage III LLC owned plot at the intersection of Indian School and Osborn roads has been the center of a debate revolving around the community's development direction. Residents made it clear that they envision more than just storage for one of the last parcels of local open land. "This should not be an eyesore in one of the last buildable lots, where we should be putting community enrichment and things that add value," one resident argued, in an interview obtained by ABC15 News.
Paul Hedges, connected to the owning entity of the site, remains steadfast in his advocacy for the storage facility's potential community benefits, stressing that previous approvals are a "testament to its potential benefits to our community." Following the Planning Commission's vote, Hedges plans to appeal and continue his pursuit of the project.
The proposed storage unit, which called for operating hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with anticipated minimal traffic impact, has been touted by Hedges as a necessity due to other local storage facilities reaching capacity. He emphasized that thorough market analysis supports the need for more self-storage in the area, stating, "We've never been wrong in the facilities that we've built. This one we project it should fill up in approximately 12 to 18 months," Hedges affirmed in a statement relayed by the Phoenix Business Journal. Despite the promise of appeal, for now, the residents have made it clear—they want more than another storage space in their backyard.
