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Commission approves West Chavez mixed-use townhomes with reduced parking and spacing variances; two commissioners recused
Summary
The commission approved a downtown mixed-use townhome subdivision on West Chavez Street that includes 10 residential units above commercial storefronts; developers were granted variances for slightly reduced parking stall dimensions and reduced spacing between some townhome lots. Two commissioners recused themselves before the vote.
Florence City Planning Commission approved a mixed-use townhome subdivision on West Chavez Street on Oct. 1, granting variances for reduced parking space dimensions and slightly reduced separation between some townhome lots.
Staff described the project as a mixed-use subdivision on a 0.506-acre parcel in the Central Business District and Downtown Central redevelopment overlay. The plan calls for commercial storefronts along West Chavez Street with residential units above and 10 townhome units in five buildings (two buildings adjacent to Chavez with ground-floor commercial and residences above; two middle buildings with two units each; one rear building with four units). Staff said the project meets townhouse regulations for the district and that city water and sewer will serve the development.
Because the project is downtown and the parcel is tight, the developer requested two variances: (1) reduce off-street parking stall dimensions from the typical 9 feet by 19 feet to 8.5 feet by 18 feet; and (2) reduce the required 20-foot separation between unattached townhome units to 17 feet for certain lots (between Lots 4 and 5 and Lots 6 and 10, as presented). Staff said it had consulted the fire marshal and found no fire-code impediment to the requested variances.
Two commissioners recused themselves from consideration of this item; the acting chair (Keith) presided over the remainder of the discussion and vote. Commissioners and staff discussed accessible parking; staff said the downtown streetscape project along Chavez Street will include a van-accessible on-street ADA space and other accessible parking and that the central business district does not require off-street parking but the developer is providing spaces.
After discussion, the commission moved, seconded and approved the sketch plan and the two variances by voice vote. The transcript records the motion and voice approval but does not list a roll-call tally or the names of the motion maker and seconder.
