Neighbors raise historic‑district, parking and height concerns as commission denies recommendation for extra commercial spaces

The Milford Planning Commission voted 3–2 to recommend denial of a conditional‑use request that would have allowed a proposed mixed‑use building at 111 North Walnut to contain up to six commercial tenant spaces alongside as many as 16 apartments.

Staff told the commission the applicant proposes a 38‑by‑70‑foot mixed‑use building with up to six commercial tenant spaces and 16 residential units on a vacant lot between 111 and 115 North Walnut. Mr. Pierce said the applicant sought three variances from the Board of Adjustment: a density variance increasing the permitted density from 16 units per acre to 178 units per acre (granted), a height variance to increase maximum building height from 35 feet to 52 feet (denied), and a reduced lot width from 50 feet to 48.2 feet (granted). The height variance was denied at the Board of Adjustment’s May 8 hearing; the denied height means the applicant…