Council approves SECC Land projects: 314 apartments and 58 townhomes with retail conditions

The City Council on Sept. 9 approved two related rezoning and comprehensive‑development‑plan amendments from SECC Land LLC that together authorize a larger mixed‑use redevelopment in the Cliftondale area.

The first vote (CV24‑003 / related CDP25‑007) authorized rezoning 27.04 acres for a 314‑unit multifamily development and amended the future‑land‑use designation from Suburban Neighborhood 1 to Community Live‑Work; that motion passed 4–3. Councilwoman Carmelita Gumbs and other members described years of community engagement and said the developer reduced density from earlier proposals.

The second vote (KZ25‑017 / CDP25‑008) rezoned 12.1 acres for a 58‑unit for‑sale townhouse component and included conditions tying commercial/retail build‑out to residential delivery; that zoning passed 5–2. Councilwoman Gumbs read conditions into the record requiring that a significant residential milestone be reached before issuance of full certificates of occupancy and that retail construction commence in tandem with major residential build‑out to ensure a mixed‑use outcome.

Gumbs also enumerated prohibited commercial uses for the retail component, including pawn shops, smoke/vape shops, certain auto services, fast‑food drive‑thrus, tattoo parlors, adult‑entertainment uses and pay‑day lenders. The council discussion emphasized walkability, retail quality and requiring site‑design elements; members also asked staff to ensure final landscape and entry details are handled during permitting.

Votes: the multifamily rezoning passed 4–3; the townhouse rezoning passed 5–2. Council members who spoke cited the need for diverse housing types and for retail that supports neighborhood quality and walkability.

Next steps: the developer must submit final site plans and meet the conditions articulated by council; staff will verify compliance with the conditions as part of permit reviews.