Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Conversion Conditional Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves conditional‑use to convert former office at 510 Third Street South into two apartments
Summary
The planning commission approved a conditional‑use application to allow conversion of 510 Third Street South from office use to two multifamily dwelling units after staff found the reduced intensity compatible and code enforcement documented prior unpermitted conversion.
The Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional‑use application (PC‑6‑25) allowing the conversion of a professional office at 510 Third Street South into two multifamily dwelling units. The owner and applicant are listed as 651 San Clemente LLC; the agent on the record is Michael Sitner.
Why it matters: Planning staff told the commission the property had an illegal conversion to five dwelling units at some point in the past decade without permits or conditional‑use approval; a new owner purchased the property in 2024, paused unauthorized work after code‑enforcement action, and then pursued a lawful path to convert the building to two units that conform to current density limits. Staff recommended approval because the proposed two‑unit outcome reduces intensity compared with the prior unpermitted configuration and aligns with density limitations for the lot.
Staff summarized the site as a lot of record constructed in 1948, roughly 6,250 square feet, with existing on‑site surface parking. Planning staff said the lot’s density limit is 20 dwelling units per acre and that two units are consistent with that limitation and compatible with surrounding uses, which include commercial office, mixed‑use commercial and multifamily buildings. Staff also noted that the applicant secured a variance from the board of adjustment the prior week to accommodate existing nonconforming site conditions.
Agent Michael Sitner told the commission he appeared following discussions with staff and the board of adjustment and that the variance had received unanimous board approval. Planning Department staff said the reduction in density and intensity — from an unlawful five units down to two permitted units — lowers parking and traffic demand and would not be a nuisance to adjoining properties. The staff report recommended approval of PC‑6‑25 as submitted.
No members of the public filled out speaker cards to comment at the hearing. Commissioners moved and seconded approval and the commission voted to approve the conditional use.
Next steps: With commission approval, the applicant may proceed with required permitting and building‑permit inspections to legalize the conversion for two units. Code enforcement and the planning department will oversee permit compliance and finalize the corrected occupancy after permits and inspections are complete.
