Planning commission approves rezoning for self-storage site on Southwest Berlingame Road

The Topeka Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone a 10-acre parcel at 4212 and 4236 Southwest Berlingame Road from R1 single-family to I1 light industrial, a change staff said matches the Land Use and Growth Management Plan 2040 designation for industrial uses.

Planning staff told the commission the site, annexed in 1969, comprises two former single-family lots and is near a mix of low-density residential, light industrial parcels and the Budweiser distribution facility. Staff said the applicants held a neighborhood meeting on June 1; adjacent owners raised questions about drainage, stormwater management, trash collection and lighting. Based on the plan designation and infrastructure, staff recommended approval.

Kevin Holland of Cook, Flatt & Stroble, representing the owner/developer, described plans for multiple storage types, including covered, temperature-controlled and studio units, and offered to answer commissioners' questions.

No members of the public spoke in opposition. After closing the hearing, a commissioner moved to adopt staff's recommendation; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with all six commissioners recorded "I." The rezoning removes the residential designation from the parcels and allows the property owner to pursue light-industrial uses consistent with the city's 2040 plan.

The commission recorded no conditions beyond standard zoning requirements; any future development proposals will require separately reviewed permits and plans. The item will proceed to the governing body as scheduled on the local docket.