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Commissioners recommend denial of Star Nursery conditional-use permit after architectural concerns
Summary
Planning commissioners recommended denial of Conditional Use Permit CD-25-03 for Star Nursery at 1475 East George Washington Boulevard, citing unresolved architectural concerns—primarily the building’s front roofline—despite staff support for the site plan. The recommendation will go to City Council.
The Washington City Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of Conditional Use Permit CD-25-03 for a Star Nursery retail and outdoor plant center at 1475 East George Washington Boulevard, after commissioners said architectural issues—most prominently the front roofline—had not been sufficiently addressed.
Planning staff presented the site as a roughly 14.1-acre development with three buildings (Star Nursery plus two future quick-serve restaurant pads), a 23,387-square-foot covered retail building, a 33,600-square-foot shade structure, and extensive outdoor plant and rock-yard areas. Staff said the applicant is providing 322 parking stalls, 69 more than the 253 required for the combined site, and recommended the Planning Commission forward the conditional use permit to City Council for approval.
Commission discussion centered on the building elevation and the visual relationship between a large metal building and the decorative front gable. Architect Derek Wiggins of Reflect Architecture said the design team tested steeper roof pitches but preferred the current configuration because it ‘‘helped soften up the point from that main entry.’’ Owner representative Damon Hardy said Star Nursery had adopted a different store aesthetic in response to local direction and mayoral input and that the team had incorporated prior comments on materials and landscape. "This is not our normal look for a Star Nursery…we're really excited about this look and, and for the neighborhood," Hardy said.
Despite those statements and staff’s support, Commissioner Anderson moved to recommend denial, saying the unresolved roofline issue warranted sending the item to City Council with a denial recommendation so the council would see alternate design options. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded in the transcript.
Because the commission’s action was a recommendation, the matter will next go to the City Council, where the applicant may present revised elevations or alternatives for council consideration. The staff report and submitted exhibits (elevations, landscape plan and materials list) are the record of the technical aspects commissioners referenced during debate.
