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Applicant for 35001 Woodward (The Maple) seeks administrative approval to remove lower-level parking
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Summary
Developers for 35001 Woodward (the Maple, aka Hunter House site) presented changes that would remove a second level of underground parking, reconfigure interior uses and — according to planning staff analysis — reduce vehicle trips; planning staff asked the board whether the change could be approved administratively.
Kevin Biddison, an architect representing the applicant, and city planning staff presented a pre-application update Wednesday on proposed changes to 35001 Woodward, known in the materials as The Maple (the Hunter House site). The applicant asked the planning board whether the proposed reconfiguration — which removes the second level of underground parking, retains one level of parking and shifts some residential square footage to office and other uses — could be handled through an administrative approval rather than a full planning-board review.
The request matters because the site previously prompted board questions about traffic impacts when the project first appeared in pre-application review. Nick Dupuy, planning staff, said the city’s traffic consultant provided a table showing fewer vehicle trips under the new layout; he recounted an initial calculation that left “222 less trips” and then, after correcting an input error, a figure of “an additional 599 less trips.” Dupuy told the board that, apart from a stray line in the consultant table that still showed a now-removed fast-food use, the revised totals tracked with current square-footage estimates.
Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and permit expiry. Biddison said the team has continued working on construction drawings and hopes to be under construction or at least have a permit before the current site-plan extension lapses (staff noted the existing extension runs to April 2026). Biddison described the schedule as not yet fixed but said the team plans to move quickly on drawings and permitting.
Several planning board members said they were disappointed to see reduced multifamily in the project but expressed support for the design and the site’s activation. Board members present indicated no objection to Dupuy handling the revised site plan administratively, provided the proposal meets the zoning ordinance. Dupuy said he would proceed with that administrative review unless the board directed otherwise.
No formal action was taken at Wednesday’s meeting; the discussion was a pre-application presentation and a request for direction on review procedure. The applicant will submit finalized plans for staff review under the city’s administrative approval process if staff determines the revisions meet ordinance requirements.
The board’s comments and the staff traffic note are likely to shape any formal submission. The applicant told the board it will advance drawings and expects to seek permitting within the current extension period.
