Construction workers are clearing land and building mini-warehouses for a new Storeright Self Storage facility in Lutz.
The project, at Crystal Grove Boulevard and U.S. 41, comes nearly 18 years after the Hillsborough County Commission approved a plan to allow about 75,000 square feet of offices, restaurants, drugstores and child care centers. Big box retail was banned.
However, in October 2017, county commissioners agreed that a second option for self-storage also would be allowed.
Representatives for Storeright proposed a project of up to 92,000 square feet of mini-warehouses, with space also available for boat and RV storage.
In June, county commissioners approved a request for a minor modification to the site plan that permits a septic tank system on the site.
Storeright representatives weren’t available for comment.
According to the company website, the family owned company, based in Lakeland, was founded in 2010, and has 14 self-storage locations in Florida.
Storeright’s facilities have both non-climate controlled and climate-controlled storage options, and many accommodate boat, automobile and RV storage.
The approximately 14-acre site is across from Walgreen’s drugstore on U.S. 41, and opposite the McDonald’s restaurant, off Crystal Grove Boulevard. The CSX rail line runs past the property, along the state highway.
The Florida Department of Transportation owns a small parcel, with a fenced-off retention pond, adjacent to the self-storage site.
According to county records from land use hearings, the site proved difficult to market due to nearly 5 acres of wetlands.
Hillsborough County records show Storeright Lutz XV LLC purchased the property in April for $725,000.
At a 2017 public hearing before a Hillsborough County land use hearing officer, four area residents objected to the project.
According to county records, they expressed concerns about drainage, traffic and decreased property values.
The hearing officer recommended approval of the project, with conditions.
Published August 15, 2018
