The Planning Department reviewed a conditional‑use application for a group home for persons with disabilities at 2950 Graham Road and moved the item to the City Council agenda following an applicant presentation and questions from councilors.

Planning Director Zach Connolly told the committee the property is 1.58 acres in R‑3 zoning, the existing building is about 6,500 square feet and the applicant’s materials state the facility would contain about 17 beds. “Based on the 1.58 acres, they can have up to 19 beds, so they comply with this requirement,” Connolly said, referring to the code limit of no more than 12 beds per acre.

Connolly reviewed supplemental requirements for the use: verification that applicable fire‑safety code standards are met during building‑permit review, that the use must not change the character of the neighborhood or create congestion, and that no facility of the same type be located within 500 feet of another such facility. He told council there appear to be no other group homes within 500 feet.

Applicant Jonathan Marshall, an architect for the owner, told the committee the building was originally constructed as a nursing home and has a largely compatible layout. He said the property will be fully fire‑suppressed and will have caretakers on site 24/7. Marshall described intended daily activities: residents would leave for vocational training or job placement programs and have meals brought in from another location.

Council members raised neighborhood concerns. Councilman MacDyer asked staff to verify whether the property across the street was a group home or an assisted‑living facility; Connolly said records show it was approved as an assisted‑living facility (2016), though some council members said they had believed it was a group home. Councilman Feldman asked whether the private access easement to the rear properties was the responsibility of property owners; staff said it appears to be a private shared‑access easement maintained by the abutting owners.

Connolly confirmed residents of nearby villas were notified and had attended the planning commission meeting where the application was considered. Marshall acknowledged follow‑up conversations with villa owners to address concerns about the shared access drive and maintenance.

The planning committee moved the conditional‑zoning item onto the council agenda for consideration that evening; the motion passed unanimously and will be listed on the council agenda as item 2025‑206.

Why it matters: conditional uses for residential care facilities are governed by local supplemental regulations and can raise neighborhood concerns about density, traffic, shared access and compatibility with surrounding uses. Staff noted the application complies with the numeric density standard and that building‑permit review will verify life‑safety compliance.

What’s next: council received the item for consideration later the same day; staff flagged fire‑code compliance and building permits as follow‑up items to be checked during the permit review stage.