Moncton Approves Storage Facility Despite Planner’s Concerns
MONCTON — A self-storage facility proposed on an unconventional piece of land will move forward after Moncton City Council voted in favour of the development.
Avant Garde Construction and Management put forward an application to rezone the property located between houses and a strip mall.
However, the Moncton Planning Advisory Committee recommended council not proceed with a zoning by-law amendment due to the proximity to residential units.
The same concerns prompted Deputy Mayor Charles Leger to vote against the self-storage facility, he was the only member of council to do so.
Bill Budd, Moncton’s director of planning and development, acknowledged the land is unique.
“It’s unusual that it’s left here undeveloped at this time, and it does not have direct access to Morningside,” said Budd during Monday’s City Council Meeting.
These circumstances lead Rob Clinch, CEO of Avant Garde Construction and Management, to sway away from residential development.
“We’ve come up with what we think is the best fit for an oddball lot,” said Clinch.
Mayor Dawn Arnold was one of the multiple members of council that questioned if night access could disrupt residents.
“The intent would be to have very low lighting on the drive aisles around the unit but nothing on the rear of the units facing the residential neighbourhoods,” explained Clinch.
He noted that in the current plan all the lighting is on the opposite side of the residential area. The will also feature wooden fences and landscaping to provide a buffer from the nearby neighbourhood.
Most storage facilities provide customers with an access code to use the premises whenever they desire.
The facility presented to council on Monday night was scaled down from the original plans after recommendations made at a previous council meeting.
Robert Lothian is a reporter with 91.9 The Bend in Moncton, a Huddle content partner.