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Commission recommends approval of Laurel Park Phase 2 with conditions on affordable units and rooftop screening
Summary
The Plan and Design Commission on July 15 recommended approval of design, subdivision and development-agreement amendments for Laurel Park Phase 2 — 18 townhomes and a 12-unit condominium building — subject to conditions on mechanical screening and staged certificate-of-occupancy sequencing.
The Plan and Design Commission on July 15 recommended approval to City Council of a multi-stage amendment for Laurel Park Phase 2, including a planned-development amendment, modifications to a 2006 development agreement, design review, final plat of resubdivision, and an inclusionary-housing plan for a mixed townhouse and condominium project at Laurel Avenue and McGovern Street.
Senior planner Carl Burha described the proposal as 18 additional townhome units plus a 12-unit multifamily (condominium) building, added to 12 previously constructed townhomes. The applicant requested several code modifications, including height relief (condominium building up to 52 feet total, townhomes up to 37 feet where 35 feet is typical), and an amendment to the development agreement that previously required 99 parking spaces. The applicant also proposed an on-site public-access open area with a pergola and benches to be dedicated via easement as a public benefit; staff noted that certain modifications trigger the public-benefit review.
A significant point of debate was sequencing and enforcement of inclusionary housing commitments. Staff recommended, and commissioners ultimately adopted as a condition, that no certificate of occupancy (CO) for townhome units be granted until (a) a full building permit set has been issued for the condominium building and (b) the building official finds that substantial construction has been completed on the condominium building to the building official's satisfaction. The building official (Director George Fontaine) said that a complete permit set and demonstrable substantial construction would likely be sufficient to allow staged COs for the townhomes without requiring full completion of the condominium building.
The applicant's design team (HKM Architects) agreed to screen rooftop mechanical units for the townhomes and condominium; staff requested that screening details be shown on the site plan. Other changes included additional shrub plantings and clarifying the public-access area and easement language.
After discussion and a friendly amendment clarifying the permit/substantial-construction requirement (added by Commissioner Henry and accepted for a vote), the motion recommending approval with conditions and design-review approval both carried on unanimous roll-call votes. The commission forwarded findings and conditions to City Council.
