A company has plans to turn the site of a former American Legion hall on the North Outer Road in Warrenton into a self-storage facility.The proposal to build a storage facility was approved by the Warrenton Board of Aldermen Nov. 20.The former Legion hall will remain on the property, but will be converted for indoor storage, said business owner Terry Bahr of Washington.Bahr’s company, Ezmove Storage, also plans to build rows of self-storage units around and behind the existing building, according to a permit application submitted to the city.A conditional use permit (CUP) for the facility was approved unanimously by the board of aldermen.Bahr said when considering whether to open in Warrenton, he saw that other storage facilities have been expanding or have full occupancy.“The industry is growing. It is doing fairly well,” he said, adding that his company owns two other facilities in Union and Pacific.“We’re trying to continue the success we’ve had so far,” he said.Bahr explained that the property has an ideal location along the Interstate 70 North Service Road, and currently is vacant after previously being used as a resale store.Some competing storage businesses in the area weren’t pleased to hear about Ezmove coming to Warrenton.Dennis Brady, who owns an existing storage facility on North Highway 47, said he and another local facility manager are concerned the Ezmove facility will add to oversaturation of storage units in Warrenton.“I think it’s not really in the best interest of other businesses for the board to approve this,” Brady told the board of aldermen during the public meeting Nov. 20.City Attorney Christopher Graville advised that competition with other businesses isn’t a valid factor when considering a CUP, but that other economic factors could be.In approving the CUP for the storage units, the city placed several requirements on the facility. It must have additional landscaping around the perimeter, no outside storage will be permitted, all driving surfaces must be paved and the entire facility must be enclosed with a black chain-link fence.

Former American Legion hall on the North Outer Road in Warrenton.