Naperville could object to proposed storage facility on 75th Street
A proposed self-storage facility along 75th Street isn't technically within Naperville's boundaries, but an action the city council will consider Tuesday could still affect the development's future.
The council is set to discuss a resolution in opposition to an Extra Space self-storage business trying to locate on 3.5 acres at 24W655 and 24W681 75th St., just west of the Walgreens at Wehrli Road.
During its meeting at 7 p.m. in the municipal center at 400 S. Eagle St., the council could approve the statement saying the storage business is too large and industrial of a use for the site. According to a land-use plan approved in 2008, one-story offices or businesses that house "small-scale neighborhood convenience retail and service uses" are recommended for the site.
"The city's position has been that we want less intense uses in that area," council member Kevin Gallaher said. "What's proposed is completely out of character with what was intended."
If the council passes the resolution of objection, the development would need a supermajority of favorable votes to gain final approval from the DuPage County Board.
The board also would need to approve three changes for the storage center to be built: a rezoning request to designate the land for local business instead of residential; a conditional use to allow a self-storage facility in a local business district; and an increase to the floor-area ratio allowed at the site to accommodate the size of the building.
Plans call for a three-story, 105,000-square-foot building with about 730 storage units. The tallest parapet of the gray masonry building would reach 40 feet, and the facility would replace two houses on the south side of 75th Street.
A traffic study projects 180 new trips in and out of the business each day. Because of the median on 75th Street, vehicles only would be allowed to turn right both in and out of the property.
Neighbors say they're concerned about extra light and noise from the building reaching their homes. They also don't want a business with such an industrial feel to create a trend for future development of other unincorporated properties for sale nearby.
"This is really close to our homes and it would be a big building," neighbor Gary Shafer said.
Gallaher said another concern is traffic.
"The whole point of 75th Street is to move a lot of traffic. If we have to put a lot of curb cuts in for heavy users, its going to defeat the whole purpose of moving traffic through there," Gallaher said. "It's a traffic issue as well as a land use issue."
Following Tuesday's city council meeting, the topic next will be considered by the county's zoning board at 6 p.m. Thursday in Room 3500B of the administration building at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. The project then could be considered by the development committee before making it to the full county board.