370 Self-Storage Sheds: Previously Rejected Project Gains Joliet City Hall's Support

JOLIET, IL — If you look around Joliet, there is one business concept that is thriving and constantly expanding: it's the self-storage shed industry. The massive new U-Haul storage shed facility being built along Route 52 near the Joliet Municipal Airport is almost done. Menards is now planning to construct self-storage sheds behind its retail store at the old Bookie Magee's Off-Track Betting property near West Jefferson Street. But that's not all.

Joliet's director of community development Dustin Anderson has recommended the Joliet City Council approve 370 new storage sheds to be built at 1701 Drauden Road next to the Lenny's Gas N Wash at the corner of Theodore Street. The owners of the proposed self-storage business are village of Plainfield residents Ronald and Lori Schelling, city documents reflect.

Tuesday night's meeting agenda includes ordinances seeking approval of a special use permit to allow for the Drauden Road self-storage facility and for a variation, allowing for general business use in a neighborhood business zoning district.

According to Anderson's memo for the Council:

The applicant, Ronald Schelling, is requesting the variation of use and the special use permit to allow for the self-storage facility.

The proposal was brought before Joliet's Zoning Board of Appeals in 2021 and in 2023. In 2021, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval, but the petitions were not approved by the City Council. In 2023, the motion to approve the petitions by the Zoning Board of Appeals failed by a vote of 3-4. The petitions were subsequently withdrawn prior to City Council consideration, Anderson pointed out.

Anderson explained how "primary concerns from neighborhood residents in opposition to the petition in 2023 included concerns over squatters living in the facility and increased traffic and noise in the area."

The petitioner proposes building an indoor, climate-controlled storage facility with accessory outdoor mini-storage units on Lot 2 of the Gas and Wash Theodore and Drauden Subdivision.

"The petitioner feels that the subject property cannot accommodate a traditional neighborhood commercial use, and that the proposed self-storage facility use provides a service to residents not readily available nearby," Anderson's memo explains. "Since over 2.5 years have passed from the City Council’s April 2023 vote, the petitioner desires that the City Council review the proposal again.

"This proposal includes a one-story, 10,950 square foot climate controlled indoor facility as well as six outside-access one-story buildings with mini-storage units. The building facades that face the perimeter will be brick-faced with light and dark brick. The buildings that are located within the proposed complex would be sided with fiber cement board. In total, there would be approximately 370 storage units of varying sizes. Outdoor storage of any kind is not permitted on site ..."

Anderson noted that the proposed hours of operation, during which renters can access their storage units, would be from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Renters of the storage units would access their units through a secured gate. The facility would be staffed by one employee. Security cameras would be positioned to review the exterior drives and the interior of Building #5.