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Planning board grants 2-year extension for 5-story, 48-unit Lincoln Street project
Summary
The Planning Board approved a two-year extension to a previously authorized site plan and design application for a five-story, 48-unit multifamily development on Lincoln Street. The extension, requested by Viva Hollywood LLC, drew questions about public noticing and construction impacts before passing unanimously.
The Planning Board voted unanimously to grant a two-year extension to the site-plan and design approval for a five-story, 48-unit multifamily development on Lincoln Street, moving the approval expiration to June 13, 2027.
The extension request was filed by Viva Hollywood LLC and was described by planning staff as an application under Section 5.3 of the city’s zoning and land development regulations. Staff said the request was limited to extending the approval period and was not a rehearing of the merits of the original site plan, which the board approved on June 13, 2023.
Staff told the board the applicant attributed the delay in submitting building-permit paperwork to “changes in market conditions, including increased costs related to construction,” and requested additional time to pursue financing and permit submittals. Planning staff recommended an extension of no more than two years, consistent with Section 5.3 of the code.
Joseph Koehler of Koehler Architecture, representing the applicant, told the board the owner remains committed to building the project and is seeking time for market conditions to improve. “He wants to go ahead with this project 100%,” Koehler said.
At public comment, Dennis Sobieski, property manager at 1917 Lincoln Street, said neighbors support development but raised operational concerns if construction proceeds, specifically parking and noise on Lincoln Street: “Where are they going to park? … We’re also concerned about noise … there is very little setback within the community for any kind of noise abatement,” Sobieski said.
Board members pressed staff on noticing of the extension hearing after a board member said the project sign on the property had not been continuously posted for 15 days. Planning staff responded that the applicant provided proof the sign was posted on March 21 and that the application also used mailed notices and posting on the city’s Sunshine Board; staff noted that the code does not explicitly require a 15-day continuous posting for extension requests, although it does for new variances and site-plan hearings. A board member asked staff to review future notice language to ensure continuous posting up to the hearing date when possible.
After discussion the board made and seconded a motion to approve the two-year extension. The motion passed unanimously.
The extension preserves the previously approved design and site-plan conditions; the applicant must still submit building permits and comply with any conditions tied to the original approval if and when the project advances.
