PL PACKET 03182025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

March 18, 2025 Page 7 For the parking design, the variance criteria are less clear. While the applicant can argue that the addition of an under-building parking tier would meet the technical language of the code, it is very expensive, and would serve neither the needs of the site (since the site would generate very little parking demand whether the supply were built or not), nor would it likely reduce the surface parking, since most employees and all visitors would typically rely on available surface parking. In this way, the variance can be seen as one driven by the unique nature of the use, rather than solely as an economic issue. Staff Recommendation Planning staff recommends approval of the proposed project, including the Conditional Use Permit, Variance for side setback, and Variance for parking. The land use is clearly within the intent of the zoning ordinance, and meets all aspects of the R-4 district with the exception of the two variance requests. For the setback variance, as noted above, staff believes that the existing site dimensions dictate the need for shifting the building toward one side property line or the other, and the north boundary is encumbered by an existing storm sewer installation. It would not be reasonable to expect that some other multi-family building could be built on this property as zoned, without a similar setback variance. The parking variance is a close question. However, given the nature of the use, staff supports the variance as requested. Requiring expensive parking construction that would, in the large majority of cases, go unused is not a reasonable approach to housing development regulation and would unnecessarily increase costs with little or no return in project quality. These recommendations come with a set of recommended conditions, which apply both to the CUP and Variance applications. They are as follows: 1. The applicant maintains a policy that prohibits tenants from storing personal vehicles on the premises. 2. No conversion of the property to any type of housing that is not specifically designated for assisted living may occur without a new Conditional Use Permit demonstrating compliance with all of the terms of the applicable zoning in effect, including unit count, parking supply, and other factors. 3. The retaining wall is designed by an engineer if it remains more than four feet in height. 4. The trash enclosure is constructed of materials that match those of the principal building. 5. The applicant modifies the south building exposure to add architectural features and interest to both the wall and roofline, subject to staff review and approval. 6. The applicant works with the City to sign the emergency vehicle lane along Foss Road for no parking.