Planning commission says 'no' to storage unit complex

Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission last week voted 6-1 against the development of a 110-unit storage complex north of Bonners Ferry.

“This is a great idea, but not for this place,” said board member Rod Barkley, who opposed the project.

Developer Edward Alvarado asked the board to approve construction of up to 10 buildings on 4.7 acres on U.S. Highway 95 south of Camp Nine Road.

“This is just an idea I have in order to keep myself busy during the winter when construction is down,” said Alvarado, who usually leaves the area for work during the colder months. “If the building is approved, then I will stay all year long.”

He said access to the units would be from a private drive. An estimated 20 vehicles per day would use the facility, which would be fenced with a lockable gate. Reliable Storage would be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until sunset, whichever comes first.

Neighbor Vern Burdick spoke against the development.

“This doesn’t fit in the neighborhood at all,” said Burdick, whose property lies directly to the north of Alvarado’s land.

Burdick also is concerned with traffic in and around his residence, security lights that would shine on his property at night, and the eyesore the buildings might create in a rural area.

“I would not just go and put in a building,” Alvarado told the board. “I am prepared to do whatever it takes.”

Alvarado needed a special-use permit for the development, which would be located in an area zoned for farming and single-family homes with a minimum of five acres.

The planning commission makes recommendations to the county commissioners. Commissioners will make the final decision on the matter.