Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Maxwell Road Sp topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves revised Maxwell Road specific plan after applicant reduces units and boosts buffers
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a revised specific‑plan zoning for a 3.83‑acre Maxwell Road site after the applicant reduced the unit count from 40 to 36, converted fronting units to detached homes, expanded buffering along adjacent property lines from 20 to 30 feet, and set height limits for internal and frontage units.
The Planning Commission reopened the public hearing and approved a specific plan to allow 36 multifamily units on a 3.83‑acre site on Maxwell Road after the applicant revised the plan following a June 12 deferral.
Staff planner Jeremiah presented the updated plan, noting the applicant detached the homes fronting Maxwell Road (Units 1–6), removed two units from the northern block of townhomes, and increased the landscape buffer along the western and northern property lines from a Type C 20‑foot buffer to a Type D 30‑foot buffer. The overall unit count decreased from 40 to 36. Staff recommended approval with conditions and disapproval without all conditions.
Developer Jody Roberts told the commission the revisions responded to neighbor and commission concerns: “I feel like we put together a good site plan,” Roberts said, noting the project now includes detached single‑family homes facing Maxwell Road, preservation of trees along the property line where feasible, and an HOA that will manage on‑site parking.
Neighbors spoke both for and against. Steve Sylvester, who owns property on Maxwell Road and said he wants to downsize, said, “I would like you to approve this plan.” Other residents voiced concerns about parking, traffic, stormwater and the project’s density; one speaker said a petition opposing the plan had more than 400 signatures. The applicant and staff said the site will be built to Metro water and stormwater standards and that the site will be filled rather than requiring blasting.
Key technical conditions in the approved plan include: a 30‑foot landscape buffer along western and northern property lines; detached units fronting Maxwell Road with sidewalk and a six‑foot planting strip per MCSP standards; units 1–6 allowed up to 3 stories (maximum 45 feet) and internal units limited to 2 stories (maximum 30 feet); and a requirement that tree preservation and final grading be reviewed at final site plan. The commission voted to approve staff’s recommendation (approval with conditions).
Why it matters: The revised plan reduced density, added buffering and preserved street‑facing house forms to better match adjacent single‑family neighborhoods while adding housing variety. The commission’s approval does not remove final site plan review and tree‑preservation review prior to building permits.
