Planning commission backs special-use permit for four-story remodel at 130 North Cortez with materials review condition

The City of Prescott Planning Commission on Sept. 25 voted to recommend approval of SUP25-1, a special-use permit for a remodel and four-story addition at 130 North Cortez that exceeds 50 percent of the building’s pre-remodel value and is subject to downtown and historic-district compatibility review.

Tammy DeWitt, community planner, said the property sits in the North Prescott National Register District (not a local historic district) and that the project includes a four-story addition set back from the street, retention of key historic elements such as arches on the upper façade, and a reworked first floor intended for retail or commercial use. The second and third floors are planned for residential use; the applicant indicated the project could include four residential units on the second and third floors and an additional residence on the fourth floor. The proposed height is up to 50 feet, which is allowed in the downtown business district.

DeWitt said the Prescott Preservation Commission reviewed the proposal on Sept. 12 and recommended approval 3-2, and that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) provided comment (materials included in the commission packet). The preservation commission suggested a condition that the applicant submit exterior building materials for review and approval by the city historic-preservation specialist prior to building-permit approval; the planning commission adopted that recommendation as a condition.

Colin Lovedahl of Michael Taylor Architects, representing the applicant, told commissioners that the design team considered restoring small front balconies shown in historic photos but declined due to structural concerns and the balconies’ projection over the sidewalk. Commissioners asked about parking and were told the project will provide about six parking spaces; downtown business district rules do not require parking for commercial ground-floor uses, and staff said the building’s preexisting residential use allows parking exceptions.

A member of the public, Sandy Hanson, spoke to parking and neighborhood impacts; no other public comments were recorded for the item. The motion to recommend approval, including the condition on exterior materials review, passed on a roll call vote recorded as seven approvals.