TERA recently released a letter of support for the proposed StorQuest storage facility located at 2803 W. Broadway, the former Ernie Jr.’s site. TERA’s support of this project has been controversial so I would like to shed some light on our position.
One concern that I have heard raised is that TERA has changed its position on the project. However, If you read our initial letter of January 26th, you will see that TERA always supported the storage-facility use. Our initial non-support of the project was based on the fact that an expedited process had been put in place and that did not give the community time to effectively evaluate the project and give constructive feedback. Our other concern was that size and scope of the project needed to be counterbalanced by community benefit. Given that there was little time to reconcile these issues prior to the applicant’s initial hearing, TERA decided they could not support the project.
Nonetheless, TERA did support the self-storage use at this location. We felt that a storage use is an appropriate use for a property, which is abutted by a freeway interchange and is located very close to other commercial properties. However, we also felt we needed more time and information to make an informed decision.
Since January, StorQuest has asked to have the project taken off the expedited track and has met separately with the Council Office, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and TERA. TERA discussed some of the issues with the project and the property. One issue is that odd, triangular shape of the property and its proximity to undevelopable CalTrans property have made it less appealing to buyers. We also talked about the design of the building and how we felt the contemporary look that was proposed did not really fit the character of Eagle Rock. And, finally we talked about how this project and its owner could benefit and integrate into the community.
In addition, TERA did its own research on the self-storage industry and found that it is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. Self-storage is a nearly $40 billion-dollar industry with 1 in 11 Americans paying an average of $91/month to rent self-storage. This need for storage is driven by many factors including an aging population downsizing their homes, lack of affordable housing forcing people to rent smaller places, students, people in economic/residential transition, and the relentless accumulation of goods by consumers. Even with this growth, there is still a need for additional self-storage because existing facilities are often near capacity. This demand outweighing the supply is borne out by the fact that storage facility fees are relatively high and continue to climb on a regular basis.
Having established that there was a need, TERA considered the size and design of the project. We felt that, while the proposed project is tall, there is already freeway overpass abutting the property. We felt that the size of the project could help to dampen the noise impacts created by the freeway. In addition, the project would need less parking and create less vehicle trips than a similarly-sized commercial/residential development.
However, TERA felt that the number of land use entitlements that were needed for this project should be counterbalanced by some additional benefit to the community. StorQuest offered commitments to:
- Provide a 600 square foot community room
- Contribute to a fund to finance Eagle Rock monuments and major entry points to the community (this money does not go to TERA’s general fund, but to a restricted fund dedicated solely to the monument project)
- A plaque paying homage the first Eagle Rock school which was formerly located on the site
- Discounted storage units for some local charitable organizations
In addition, with regard to the design of the facility, StorQuest agreed to:
- Change the architectural style of the building
- Incorporate local-themed murals on the exterior walls
- Activate and secure the site with non-intrusive lighting
- Use native and drought-tolerant plants
Taking a position on controversial projects is part of what TERA does. And we recognize that not everyone is happy with TERA’s position. But we believe that this project will be beneficial for the community in the long run.
TERA is still the organization that leads the way on issues such as the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan, the Scholl Canyon expansion, and the Bekins house. We are the same body that funded the mosaic trash cans around the community, who administered the funding for the painted utility boxes, and who helped fund the planting and watering of over 200 street trees.
I hope that those who are upset by this decision will remember that TERA has been and continues to be actively committed to the betterment of the Eagle Rock community.
Greg Merideth
President
