Planning commission recommends Highway 40 storage facility approval but limits U‑Haul operations

The Daniel Planning Commission recommended approval of the Highway 40 storage and leasing facility but imposed conditions to limit truck parking and protect a restricted rear parcel. The motion, made by a commissioner and seconded, passed unanimously during the March 18 meeting.

The applicant told the commission two of three commercial units are leased and said the business intends to operate U‑Haul point-of-sale services alongside self-storage. Commissioners pressed whether U‑Haul truck storage or short-term rentals would use a rear parcel that appears to be restricted by a development agreement and plat conditions.

Commissioners and staff agreed the application before them was for storage use, not for full U‑Haul dealer operations that would change the parking requirements. The commission’s recommendation conditions approval on a certificate of occupancy, limits U‑Haul vehicle or trailer parking to one designated space at the front of the facility, and prohibits additional parking in the rear until the commission or council reviews the development agreement and deed restrictions.

The applicant said the retail point-of-sale revenue from boxes and moving supplies was an important source of town sales tax, and that any U‑Haul inventory would be stored on a road-base area in the rear if later approved. Commissioners said a later, separate conditional-use review would be required before expanding truck/trailer parking or rental operations.

The recommendation will go to the town council for final action; the applicant was also reminded to secure required inspections and a certificate of occupancy before opening.