Planning commission approves variances for Hensley Plaza project; downtown parking, one-way street plan advanced

The Jasper Planning & Zoning Commission on June 24 approved four variances for an adaptive-reuse project branded Hensley Plaza at 30 Wall Street, allowing a pocket park, outdoor dining and a two-space on-site parking layout in place of the 26 spaces normally required.

Staff recommended approval, citing the property’s very small remaining developable area and the city’s downtown activation goals. "We informed the applicant that ... they are requesting 4 variances to accommodate the adaptive reuse," a staff presenter said, outlining the site and the variance requests.

The variances granted reduced the required on-site parking from 26 spaces to two, shortened the required driveway separation from the center line of an intersecting thoroughfare from 100 feet to about 65 feet, allowed a non‑channelized driveway within 100 feet of that intersection, and eliminated the standard screening requirement between the parking area and the public right of way. Approvals were unanimous voice votes and were made subject to staff-recommended conditions and a standard caveat about water and sewer capacity.

Why it matters: The site sits in the Central Business District in a short urban block and contains an existing…