Board approves 521‑unit mixed‑use project on Charleston Boulevard with minimum 25 EV chargers after debate

The Sunrise Manor Town Advisory Board on Thursday approved a three‑item package that cleared a vacate/abandon of recorded driveways, a use permit and design review for a proposed mixed‑use development on Charleston Boulevard, and the project’s tentative map — but required the developer to provide a minimum of 25 electric‑vehicle charging stalls rather than the 10 stalls the applicant initially proposed.

Levany O’Haney, representing the applicant, told the board the project replaces a former bank building and calls for 521 residential units on about 14.1 acres, at a density of roughly 36.1 dwelling units per acre. The proposal includes residential buildings with a gated southern residential area, a clubhouse, pool, a children’s playground, a dog park and a commercial frontage along Charleston to accommodate restaurants and other retail. O’Haney said the previously approved commercial elements — including a Chick‑fil‑A and other retailers along Charleston — remain part of the overall mixed‑use plan.

A major point of contention at the hearing was electric‑vehicle (EV) charging: planning staff calculated the full code requirement at about 59 EV‑capable stalls for the project and recommended against the applicant’s request to provide only 10 installed stalls. The applicant said it would install 10 chargers immediately, provide conduits for many more and make 59 stalls technically “capable” over time. After public comment urging more EV access and board discussion about equitable EV access on the East Side, the board adopted a motion that approved the project with a condition that the applicant provide a minimum of 25 installed EV charging stalls and conduits to allow additional chargers to be added without major disruption.

Residents and community speakers urged the board to require features that discourage homelessness and encourage safe public and private open space. The applicant said the residential portion would be gated and that the central amenity areas were designed to be secured for residents rather than to create an unguarded public gathering point. The project also includes landscaping and pedestrian connections; the applicant said the site lies on a major transit corridor and planners considered that in parking and access analysis.

Planning staff recommended approval of the vacate (agenda item 10), the use permit and design review (agenda item 11) with conditions, and the tentative map (agenda item 12); the board approved all three items with the EV charger condition. The board’s action allows the developer to proceed with recording and final subdivision steps consistent with county processes and the conditions adopted by the advisory board.

Speakers quoted are those who spoke on the record at the meeting.