Unisys building
A temporary RV storage facility is being proposed for the former 27-acre Unisys site on Jeronimo adjacent to the Target Store. Unisys abandoned the location last year after toxic ground contamination was found, which may explain the reason for this “temporary” usage application. Remediation is still being conducted, and water quality restrictions exist, but the San Diego Regional Water Control Board says there is no significant environmental impact.
On Monday the Planning Commission will consider a proposal for the following multiple temporary uses:
- Outdoor storage for 507 RV’s on 9 acres of the outdoor 20 acres, including traditional motorhomes and campers, as well as travel trailers, pop-up campers, “fifth-wheels,” and various towed trailers, including those containing boats, watercraft, and other vehicles.
- A 2-acre private park will be maintained but could be converted for an additional 152 RV’s in the future.
- The indoor plan for the 7-acre building is as follows:
- Office space, including shared conference rooms, for lease to small businesses such as accountants, insurance agents, and other non-retail service professionals (27,900 sq. ft).
- Warehouse storage of RVs, collectible automobiles, and other related items (200,840 sq. ft.).
- Indoor mini-storage of 410 cubicles (69,200 sq. ft.).
- Office for RV storage company’s management staff (5,600 sq. ft.).
If approved, the first phase would take up to six months, be ready later this year, and accommodate about 344 RV’s. Three additional phases of rehab could take until early 2014. No estimates have been provided regarding leasing prices.
Phasing Plan
Visual screening of the RV’s, which will be on the rear portion of the property, is planned primarily with the use of landscaping.
The public relations consultant/lobbyist is Phillip Schwartze of PRS Group in San Juan Capistrano. He represents the developer Scott Ramser of Ramser Development Company of Tustin.
It will not be necessary to change the current Business Park/Industrial zoning. The Planning Commission meeting begins Monday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Well that would explain the fencing that has been put in place. They are going to need some tall landscaping to screen the portion that would be visible from Jeronimo. The site plan still looks to have room for a dog park. (hint)
We have lived near Muirlands and Los Alisos for almost 40 years. We want our area upgraded and not converted to storage facilities. We already have too many apartments and mobile home estates within a mile radius. An RV storage facility will do nothing to upgrade our immediate area and maintain the quality and value of our homes.
[Editor's Note: This is temporary, probably 2-5 years until the toxic problem is resolved and the housing market improves. Then the owner has stated he will eventually be looking for a permanent use for the property. They will probably be looking for high-density use of some sort - in the past apartments have been most popular with developers for max profit if they can get zoning changed.]
This sounds like a great use of idle space. Potentially bring in some new businesses which may offer employment opportunities and help stimulate our city’s economy while also providing storage for local residents. The driveway slope may pose a challenge for some RVs and towed vehicles, but regrading shouldn’t be problem.
Perhaps the Great Park’s RV area is full? It seems like a profitable usage of the site, as there is a great excess of office space all over southern CA (and the USA).
However, I’ll never understand the desire for motor homes and big campers. They are expensive, use tremendous amounts of fuel, and nice hotels are plentiful. I’d far rather drive a nice car and stay in nice hotels, than drive a bus/truck and stay in RV parking lots.
The driveway slope on the other (Target) side is not too bad.
As far as people owning RVs it’s being able to get up and go where you want, when you want. For the most part the people you meet “on the road” in the very luxurious camp sites are down to earth, friendly and conservative. Today’s motor homes aren’t your Cousin Eddie’s Winnebago. But you will need some deep pocket$. If it holds 100 gallons of fuel that’s about $400 per tank. And maybe 10 mpg.
Storage is the best we can do? What’s our city doing to bring jobs & tax revenue to the city?
How about an auto dealership or mini mall, ie Fry Electronics store? Hotel with spa?
If you want some temporary uses how about swapmeets-car collector clubs-etc.
Come on we can do better than RV storage!
I’m an old radio collector and restorer, and a member of the board of directors of the Southern California Antique Radio Society. The former Unisys site would be OK for members-only collector club events, but lousy for attracting new members and the general public. It does not have the visibility, and that section of Jeronimo does not have enough traffic on weekends.
An electronics retailer would never consider a location with such low traffic counts and visibility – look at where present Fry’s stores are located.
Car dealers generally want to be near other dealers, and Mission Viejo has a cluster of them at the southern end of our city.