MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has approved a development permit for the addition of new self-storage units at an existing storage facility in the Water Valley/Winchell Lake area.
The move came by way of motion at the March 23 regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and on Zoom.
The facility is located within a 20-acre parcel on the west side of Rge. Rd. 52 approximately one kilometre north of Highway 579.
The $250,000 self-storage facility addition will cover 4,500 square feet and contain approximately 30 self-storage units, depending on the configuration of the building design layout.
The new units will be an addition to the existing Water Valley Storage facility, with the remainder of the subject land continuing to be use for agricultural purposes.
During the circulation of the proposal, three letters were received, one in support and two identifying concerns.
“The concerns were with the intensity and brightness of the security lights,” administration said in a briefing note to council. “The applicant responded that in spring 2022 they will re-position the LED lights from a 45 degree angle to a horizontal (downward facing) position to reduce the ambient light while still providing lighting for the storage facility.”
Council passed a motion that the applicant/owner will be required to inform the county when the lights have been adjusted and the county will then conduct a follow-up inspection.
The lights are part of the security system in place at the site, said Coun. Greg Harris.
After reviewing the development permit application, administration proposed acceptance.
Since the property involved is zoned Direct Control District, county council heard the development permit application, as opposed to the municipal planning commission, which usually handles development permit applications.
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including that the units will be finished in the same colour, material and design as the existing storage building on the subject property, and that the applicant will not generate excessive or unacceptable increases in traffic within the immediate area.
As well, future expansion and/or intensification of the business, including expansion of the existing storage area, additional self-storage units, signage, structures or additional uses as per direct control district will require issuances of a new development permit.
