Urban Design Commission approves two site projects, forwards SPUD amendment and elects officers

The Urban Design Commission on a unanimous voice vote approved two development applications, recommended a revised Simplified Planned Unit Development (SPUD) for a proposed grocery project to the Planning Commission and elected Tyler Holmes chair and Amy (last name not specified) vice chair.

Commission members approved a proposal for a grab-and-go restaurant at 2416 Northwestern Avenue after staff and applicants discussed whether the building’s west and north facades provide adequate street-facing glazing. Planning staff noted the building “has something somewhat less than 4% amount of glazing” facing the adjacent streets and recommended the applicant revisit the west façade to add more transparency or other street-level articulation. Daniel Douthat, the project architect representing Millhue LLC, said the building is primarily kitchen space and that “the owner believes in feng shui as an organizational principle for the building,” which factors into the decision not to add openings on the west façade. Douthat also told commissioners the project’s budget is “incredibly modest,” and that adding glazing…