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Board approves Weber Street commercial overhaul with parking relief
Summary
The Downtown Review Board approved a minor improvement plan and a warrant reducing off‑street parking requirements for a commercial redevelopment at 525 and 531 South Weber Street.
The Downtown Review Board on March 4 approved a warrant and a minor improvement plan allowing facade and streetscape improvements and reduced off‑street parking for redevelopment at 525 and 531 South Weber Street in the FBZ‑T2 transit transition sector.
Ryan Tiefertuller, Urban Planning Manager, presented the proposal and staff analysis saying the two existing commercial buildings would be repurposed for food and beverage, retail and office uses, with streetscape work and outdoor patios along Weber. Staff said the required parking calculation under current code would be 48 stalls using a 1 stall per 250 square feet ratio for restaurant uses; the applicant asked for parking relief and staff found the warrant criteria were met given nearby on‑street parking and adjacent privately funded stalls.
Applicant team representatives said the project focuses on serving walking customers from the numerous nearby apartment projects. Brad Nichols, architect for the applicant, said the redesigned storefront meets glazing standards (he said the design would achieve about 68% glazing where 60% is required). Owner Gary Pfeffer described the project as neighborhood‑serving retail, hospitality and entertainment to support the new and nearby multifamily developments and said no wholesale distribution is tied to the project.
The board discussed broader parking policy downtown; Ryan Tiefertuller noted staff are considering form‑based code updates that would reduce parking ratios (staff has proposed changing the restaurant ratio from 1:250 to 1:500 in early drafts) and observed state changes may further restrict local parking mandates for residential projects along transit.
Board member Carol (recorded as making the motion) moved to approve the warrant and minor improvement plan “based upon the findings and subject to the 3 conditions,” the motion was seconded and approved by the board. Staff listed several technical conditions to be completed before final approval.
