Planning Commission approves 500 South Congress PUD with conditions after debate over fire station, utilities and right-of-way

The Planning Commission approved on July 8, 2025, a planned unit development rezoning for 500 South Congress (approximately 6.486 acres at the southwest corner of West Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue) after lengthy debate over an on-site fire/EMS station, utility facilities and future right-of-way width.

The commission voted to approve staff’s overall recommendation for the PUD but adopted amendments during motions by Commissioner Anderson (mover) and Commissioner Haney (second): they removed the staff request that the developer provide a dedicated fire/EMS station on the site, made “major utility facilities” a conditional use rather than a permitted use, and set the South Congress centerline right-of-way at 60 feet as a condition of approval. The motion closed the public hearing and passed by recorded vote with Commissioner Lan opposed.

Why it matters: the proposal is a very large mixed-use redevelopment of a site currently developed with office, multifamily and retail. Staff described a development program that includes roughly 950 residential units, a 225-key hotel, about 600,000 square feet of office, roughly 90,000 square feet of retail, a 25,000-square-foot grocery/food sales use, and below-grade parking. Staff told commissioners the applicant requested maximum building heights up to 650 feet in one area and 500 feet in another, a maximum floor-area ratio of 24:1, and site impervious cover up to about 90 percent. Staff recommended approval subject to numerous conditions including environmental notes, transportation and park commitments, and housing-related payments tied to bonus area.

What staff said: Sherry Seruitas of…