Storage facility in Vista receives planning approval despite opposition

Plans for a three-story self-storage facility at the corner of Williams and Hampton streets in the Vista received a favorable recommendation Monday from the city’s Planning Commission, despite objections from stakeholders in the Vista.

Seven panel members unanimously recommended approval of plans for a 550-unit storage facility on a 1.86-acre parcel across Williams Street from the Canalside Lofts. The plans will go before City Council in December, said John Fellows, a city planner.

Eight people spoke in opposition to the plans. Dale Marshall, chairman of the Vista Guild’s Development Committee, told the panel the Guild doesn’t think the storage facility is consistent with Canalside’s original design. The facility would be a “largely dead occupancy” between the Canalside development and the rest of the Vista, Marshall said.

Others echoed Marshall’s thoughts, though some brought new concerns, such as the building’s aesthetics and whether city ordinances allow for the facility to be added to the Canalside plans.

“This is the entryway to the Vista, and it’s not exactly something that’s very pleasing or welcomed,” said Mary Langston, who said she lives near the Publix in the Vista.

Ryan Hyler, vice president for development at Tomlin Interests, is listed as the applicant for the proposal. He said the company thinks the facility would be a “great amenity to downtown,” especially for apartment-dwellers.

“We think as we continue to draw people into the urban core, we’re going to have to be able to provide these types of amenities to get them there,” Hyler said.

Tomlin Interests has worked with the developer of Canalside Lofts, the Beach Co. of Charleston, to include the storage facility as part of that site’s development plans, said Daniel D’Alberto, an attorney working with Tomlin Interests. D’Alberto said the facility would cost up to $9 million to build.

Plans for the parcel also include pedestrian sidewalks, a commercial storefront and surface parking behind the building, which is to be no taller than 50 feet. The buildings’ exterior will be designed for a combination of brick masonry panel and stucco with clear glass reveals to “provide life and movement to the building,” according to plans presented to the commission.

Those plans had received an approval recommendation from Columbia’s planning staff.

“We believe that we are building a very attractive building that will be highly visible as you come across the bridge. And it will be a facility that we think will be unsurpassed in Columbia,” Hyler told the panel, provoking chuckles from the back of the room.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 8:04 PM with the headline "Storage facility in Vista receives planning approval despite opposition."