DEStorage proposal begins review process in Milton

A proposal to build a self-storage complex at the intersection of Palmer Street Extended and Route 16 is set to receive multiple forms of review from town committees.

DEStorage LLC has applied for a special-use permit that will be taken up by the Milton Planning and Zoning Commission at its 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16 meeting at Grace Church. The 7-acre parcel DEStorage proposes to build on is in the C-1 commercial district, which by Milton code requires a special-use permit.

The facility would comprise two 40,000-square-foot and two 20,000-square-foot buildings. The larger two-story buildings would front Route 16, while the other two buildings, one story each, would be built on the back side of the property. The facility will also have an office building, a gated entrance, and stormwater retention ponds on the front and back of the property. 

Should the permit be granted, the application would then be able to move forward with the preliminary site-plan review process.

Andy Strine, president of DEStorage, previously told the commission that the reason for building the facility is in response to demand and growth. The business started in 1974 and has storage facilities in Rehoboth Beach, Dover, Milford, Millsboro, Seaford, Smyrna and New Garden, Pa., with another under construction in Georgetown.

The other request from DEStorage is to annex half an acre of the parcel into Milton, since it is currently in Sussex County territory. Milton Town Council referred the annexation application Aug. 1 to the town’s special review committee, which reviews potential annexations and makes recommendations to council regarding approval or denial of the application. Because the amount of property to be annexed is so small, Town Manager Kristy Rogers has recommended the committee not use outside consultants, in order to save money. 

The special review committee has not yet scheduled a meeting to begin review of the application, likely in part because DEStorage submitted plans to the state’s Preliminary Land Use Service for review. However, that review has not yet been completed. 

Granary master plan to be heard

The P&Z commission will also hold a public hearing Aug. 16 on the master plan for the proposed Granary at Draper Farm development.

Developer Convergence Communities has proposed building 450 units on a 1,350-acre site on Sand Hill Road that was annexed into town in May. The Granary’s master plan calls for 900 single-family home units, and 450 townhouses and condominiums. The development includes 110 acres of open space and calls for 55 acres to be dedicated to the town as park lands. The property is zoned R-2 residential with a large-parcel development overlay. 

Following the public hearing, a vote could be held on approving the master plan.