Wakefield Planning Board Votes Against Self-Storage Project

WAKEFIELD, MA — The Planning Board voted against favorable action by Town Meeting on a zoning bylaw that would allow for a specific category for self-storage facilities. The board voted against the measure by a 3 to 2 margin at a March 26 meeting.

A proposed self-storage facility has been pitched for 50 Quannapowitt Parkway. Capozzoli Enterprises plans to purchase the property, which operates similar facilities in Massachusetts and Florida.

To pave the way for the project to move forward, the applicant is requesting the town's zoning bylaws to be amended. Currently such facilities would be part of the zoning bylaws that fall under warehouse use.

The zoning change would allow for specific parking requirements for self-storage of one space per 10,000 square feet of storage. It would not change the allowed height of buildings which would remain at 50 feet.

Brian McGrail, an attorney representing the developer, said the zoning change would prevent other, more intensive uses of the site, such as multi-family housing or retail. The town could "end up with something that doesn't look as good and is going to lead to more traffic," he said.

He said the self-storage building's footprint would be relatively small and traffic into the site would be "incredibly low." Overall, McGrail said there would be very minimal impact in general, including lighting, signage, and parking.

He added that the project would be a positive for the tax base for years to come. McGrail said there's a need for self-storage in Wakefield.

However, Planning Board members had concerns about the property's "gateway" nature in Wakefield, stating that the property could be better used than for self-storage.

Some members also said other uses of such a high-profile property could bring in greater revenue for the town.

Planning Board members did praise the project's lower impact and preservation of green space.

Wakefield Town Meeting is scheduled for April 29.