WOBURN - Claiming not enough time had elapsed since some problems were corrected last year, the City Council this week unanimously voted to deny a request from Extra Space Storage to extend its hours of operation at its Olympia Avenue facility.

Extra Space Storage officials were also seeking permission for the outside storage of commercial vehicles. Concerns about businesses being run out of the facility are what led the council to review the permit last year.

"That's not the intent of a self-storage building," said Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen, whose district includes Olympia Avenue. "I don't think enough time has passed for us to grant any additional uses or an extension of (hours of operation)."

The facility, located on Olympia off Washington Street in East Woburn, currently operates from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attorney Joseph Tarby, representing Extra Space Storage, said the request was to extend the hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days "to accommodate requests from customers."

"It's one hour earlier and one-and-a-half hours later on weekdays," said Tarby, noting the proposed hours would make those at the Woburn facility somewhat consistent with but still less than those in other communities including Stoneham, Salisbury, Haverhill, Cambridge and Somerville.

"The change in hours is minimal, and the property is in an (Industrial Park) district," said Tarby. "Is it really an issue to drive to Olympia Avenue at 4:30 on a Sunday afternoon?"

Noting the city's Planning Board had recommended reducing the hours, Tarby offered "sort of a compromise" of a closing hour at 6 p.m. on Saturday and hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Mercer-Bruen noted Extra Space Storage had been before the council's Special Permits Committee last year to address some violations, including a landscaping company that was apparently using the facility as the base of its operations, and problems with the gate being left open all night long in some instances.

Tarby noted Extra Space Storage officials had "addressed each and every concern" that was raised by the committee and drew particular praise from Fire Chief Paul Tortolano for their efforts.

During the public hearing, Marietta Street resident Paul Medeiros acknowledged some of the problems had been corrected.

He noted, however, he recently informed the city's Building Department of a temporary banner that was left up for more than 30 days in violation of a city ordinance, and there is one employee in particular who has problems closing the gate, which has been left open about "two dozen times" since August.

Medeiros also questioned whether Extra Space Storage was properly before the council because there is no plan on file with the City Clerk, which he said is a requirement for a special permit application.

"They haven't been the best neighbor," said Medeiros, who lives directly across the street from Extra Space Storage.

"Have they cleaned up their act (from the summer)? Yeah, a little bit," he added.

Lori Medeiros, also a Marietta Street resident, echoed her husband's concerns and added she was worried about the commercial vehicles component, which if granted would make moot any restriction on the hours of operation.

"That's where all the problems were to begin with," said Medeiros. "People will come and go as they please."

She also said she was more concerned about extending the hours of operation on the weekend, rather than during weekdays.

Woburn Business Association Executive Director Paul Meaney spoke in favor of granting the extended hours and the parking of commercial vehicles, noting the new ownership has taken steps to resolve any problems and improve the appearance of the property.

"It's well-maintained; well-groomed," said Meaney. "I find it to be very, very clean."

If the council wasn't inclined to grant the requested hours of operation or number of vehicles, Meaney asked the aldermen to come up with a compromise.

"There are many things that could go into this building that could be more of a problem," said Meaney.

Ward 2 Alderman Richard Gately noted the hours of operation at other self-storage facilities in Woburn are about the same as Extra Space Storage's, and any extension by the council may result in the others coming forward asking for similar extensions.

"I wouldn't want that in my ward," said Gately, noting there is a self-storage warehouse in his district. "We could be opening the door, and I really don't want that."

Ward 7 Alderman Raymond Drapeau agreed with the notion that extending the hours of operation and allowing commercial vehicles may be sending an invitation to businesses that the facility could be used as a base, the very thing the council tried to eliminate last summer.

"It hasn't even been a year since we discussed this business in committee," said Alderman at-large Joanna Gonsalves. "It's too soon to say the (hours of operation) don't make the business viable."