South Side concept plans draw parking and density concerns from residents and commissioners

Mount Vernon planning staff presented three concept proposals for infill townhouse development on the city’s South Side at a planning board meeting, and local commissioners and residents raised repeated concerns about parking, density and stormwater capacity.

The applicants sketched similar plans for three vacant parcels — two roughly 10,000‑square‑foot lots (408–412 South Seventh Avenue and 345–351 South Ninth Avenue) and a larger 0.63‑acre parcel near the train station at 113 Franklin Avenue — proposing clusters of single‑family townhouses (mostly six units on the smaller lots and 12 on the larger). Associate Commissioner of Planning Lucas Herbert said the concepts were presented at the developer’s request to get staff and board feedback before formal applications are filed; he noted the proposed…