McDonough Planning Board to Reconsider Lake Dow Self-Storage

Applicants proposing a new self-storage business off Lake Dow Road will return to the McDonough Planning Commission for reconsideration. That’s the latest update on a project discussed since April. The city council agreed on September 16 to remit the case back to the city’s zoning board. According to city staff, they anticipate the planning commission to consider the item in November. An update to this project is now available.

Lake Dow Road Self-Storage

In spring 2024, Your Storage Units proposed a self-storage business along State Route 81 and Lake Dow Road. The site is across the street from the Publix shopping center. This is located inside McDonough city limits. Before they could build their new location, it first required a conditional use permit. The city council determines whether to approve such permit.

Earlier this year, the city approved a different self-storage business. It too is in the SR 81 at Lake Dow Road vicinity. That project, Merganser Self-Storage, will be behind Chick-fil-A and Starbucks.

The city’s planning commission considered the permit request in April 2024. At the time, the proposed site plan had both indoor and outdoor storage space. The plan also had boat and RV storage. The city zoning board recommended denial on the request.

Since April, the applicant has deferred the request on multiple occasions. During this time, they have revised the concept site plan. The revisions update the building exterior. They also incorporate more landscaping to better screen the outdoor boat and RV storage. City staff revised their recommendation from deny to approve based on the revisions.

The city council most recently considered the case on September 16. At such time, the applicant’s engineer, Steve Moore of Moore Bass Consulting, indicated Your Storage Units was no longer pursuing the project. However, the land owner wishes to proceed forward on the application. They requested to return to the city’s planning commission. Moore expressed a desire to present the updated plans to the MPC. The council agreed to this request.

The MPC meets monthly. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month at McDonough City Hall. The city staff estimated the case would be on the November 2024 MPC agenda. If so, then this meeting will be on November 12.

The city council could then reconsider it before year’s end.

Featured image shows units inside of a self-storage building. stock photo.