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Council approves Furniture Mart site plan and alternative landscaping; asks staff to negotiate small sidewalk easement with Target
Summary
Council approved an alternative landscape plan for a proposed Furniture Mart store at 329 Southeast Fifth Street and directed staff to negotiate a 20-by-20-foot easement at the site’s northwest corner to allow a future ADA-compliant sidewalk connection to an existing bus stop on Target’s property, pending Target’s agreement.
The City Council approved a major site plan and an alternative landscape plan for a proposed Furniture Mart store at 329 Southeast Fifth Street and directed staff to try to negotiate a 20-by-20-foot easement at the site’s northwest corner to permit a future pedestrian connection to a bus stop located on the adjacent Target property.
What the developer proposed: The applicant told the council the landscaped areas were shifted to accommodate grading and layout constraints; shrubs and low plantings will be spread through the western parking-lot islands and tree locations were shifted outward to provide parking-lot shade and circulation. City staff supported the alternative layout as meeting the ordinance intent and protecting Parkway sightlines.
Sidewalk/bus-stop issue: Staff noted a potential future need to create an ADA-compliant connection from the site and Target’s drive to the transit boarding location that currently sits on Target’s property. Because that short pedestrian connection would cross or abut Target-owned property, the council asked staff to negotiate a small, reserved 20-by-20-foot easement at the site’s northwest corner to preserve the option of constructing a compliant path with Target’s agreement; the developer said it would cooperate if Target and the city agree.
Council action: Council approved the alternative landscaping plan and also separately approved a motion directing staff to negotiate the 20' x 20' easement at the northwest corner. Staff and the applicant said they will continue coordination with Target and with the transit operator regarding exact alignment and ADA details.
Next steps: With the site and landscape approvals complete, staff expects to finalize remaining site-permit details and construction scheduling; the easement negotiation will be handled administratively and returned to council only if Target or the developer proposes major changes to the site plan.
