Commission approves new 2-story home at 123 North Forsyth with stormwater and tree safeguards

The Plan Commission/ARB approved site plan and architectural review for a new two-story single-family home at 123 North Forsyth, subject to stormwater and tree-protection conditions.

Staff told the commission the site meets setback, height and impervious-cover standards but noted the previous house was demolished without completing required site restoration and that tree protection standards were not followed during clearing. Staff recommended approval contingent on three conditions: vertical mulching around street-tree root zones to mitigate compaction, a percolation test by a qualified geotechnical engineer to verify the proposed dry well’s performance for a 15-year, 20-minute storm and upsizing the dry well if necessary, and recordation of a deed restriction documenting dry-well location and maintenance prior to building-permit issuance.

Civil engineer Eric Vietmeyer described the drainage design; he said proposed dry-well and French-drain details reduce runoff compared with the existing condition in every direction. He told commissioners the proposed dry well was sized with a 125% buffer for the tributary volume but acknowledged that final sizing depends on percolation results.

Architect Lauren Strutman and owner-builder Tony Kaufer presented design details. Commissioners praised the contemporary design and glazing while questioning roof pitch and the relation to neighboring house heights. Staff recommended concrete paving match the city standard pour and noted that no building permits would be issued until noncompliance items from the demolition permit are corrected.

On a motion to adopt staff’s recommendations, the commission voted in favor (voice vote recorded as “Aye”). The approval moves the project to the permit stage once the conditions are satisfied.