Committee votes unfavorably on special-exception for vehicle rental at Sherman/Sherman corridor, citing alley and right-of-way concerns

A petition to allow vehicle rental (U-Haul-style short-term truck rental) at two adjacent parcels in a neighborhood-center district drew testimony from the property owner and detailed questions from committee members about alley access, right-of-way vacations and the long-term visual impact on the block. The owner said the proposal would be limited in scale (a small number of rental trucks) and argued that reactivating the long-vacant building would bring investment and activity to the corridor.

Why it matters: staff and some committee members said vehicle rental and storage uses have different circulation and public-right-of-way needs than storefront commercial and could change the character of the neighborhood. The staff briefing highlighted that the site’s alley and access conditions may require additional public-works permits or a vacation of right-of-way before certain operations could occur. Neighbors and a committee member said the church next door and the residential character of the block warrant caution.

Public testimony and staff analysis: the owner said the business would not be a large vehicle-sales operation and described plans to limit parked vehicles on site and maintain the building. Committee members asked whether the applicant had engaged other potential tenants and whether U-Haul was the only interested operator; the applicant said several interests had been explored. Staff explained that certain uses that occupy or rely on public right-of-way would need separate approvals and that those approvals have not been secured at this stage.

Committee action: a committee member moved to forward the petition with an unfavorable recommendation. The motion passed on roll call with four members voting in favor of the unfavorable recommendation and one member opposed. Committee members recorded concern about the alley/right-of-way constraints and potential for the site to be used in ways inconsistent with the neighborhood plan. The unfavorable recommendation is advisory; the petition will proceed to subsequent hearings where the council will consider the matter.