Cedar Rapids rezones to allow storage garages next to single-family homes

CEDAR RAPIDS - Five self-storage commercial buildings will be coming to a spot previously zoned for single-family homes and offices at J Street SW and 33rd Avenue SW.

The City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday for a rezoning to allow the project to proceed.

Council member Monica Vernon said the change to a C-3 regional commercial zone opened the property up to intensive commercial development next to homes if the storage garage plan did not proceed. However, she voted with the majority.

The council had put off a vote on the project last month with some questions about it.

Last month, too, the City Planning Commission recommended the project on a 5-2 vote, though commission member Allan Thoms said he opposed putting storage garages next to single-family homes on a steep site with topographic challenges.

The commission majority found it was a suitable development on the corner of two arterial streets.