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Commission approves MF-5 zoning at Melrose Trail site after debate over scale and transit access
Summary
A 5.42-acre vacant site at Melrose Trail was rezoned to MF-5 (high-density multifamily) after the commission voted to grant the applicant’s request over staff’s MF-3 recommendation; vote was 7–1.
The commission voted to approve a request to change zoning at 6101–6105 Melrose Trail from interim SF-2 to MF-5 (multifamily high-density), overturning staff’s recommendation for MF-3 (medium density). The applicant proposed a clustered development of approximately 250 multifamily units on roughly 5.42 acres; staff recommended MF-3 based on surrounding zoning patterns and the property’s location on lower-intensity streets.
Richard Settle, representing the applicant, argued the site effectively contains about three developable acres (the remainder constrained by floodplain and buffers) and is within 0.15–0.23 miles of major employment corridors. He said clustering to the developable area is the only practical way to achieve the proposed unit count and that proximity to nearby jobs and roads supports MF-5 under the code’s purpose statement.
Staff responded that MF-5 is usually applied to sites directly on or adjacent to major arterials and higher-capacity transit corridors; the site’s immediate access is on level-1 and level-2 streets. Staff estimated MF-3 would likely yield roughly 75 units on this parcel, noting that detailed unit counts would depend on site-plan-level constraints: impervious cover, heritage-tree preservation and floodplain limits.
Commissioners debated site constraints, proximity to employment centers and long-term transit plans for Parmer and McNeil. Supporters of MF-5 said the site’s proximity to the Research Park and Parmer/McNeil corridors makes higher intensity appropriate and would yield more housing near jobs. Opponents, led by Commissioner Betsy Greenberg, argued MF-3 is more compatible with surrounding single-family neighborhoods and raised concerns about scale and traffic.
After discussion a motion to approve MF-5 passed 7–1. Commissioner Greenberg recorded the sole no vote. The applicant will proceed to site-plan review where transportation, stormwater and other technical matters will be addressed.
