Commission approves skybridge variance for Washington Center Residences; consent-to-encroach required for aerial use

The Planning Commission approved a variance to allow a skybridge that crosses Center Street as part of the Washington Center Residences project. Staff described the request as necessary to connect two five-story residential buildings with a 9-foot-wide skybridge at the third and fifth floors, providing a 25-foot clearance above the travel lanes.

Presenter Devin Bridal said the skybridge would not contain habitable area and the residential buildings themselves meet the 10-foot building line; the variance was to allow a 0-foot building line at a 12-by-10-foot portion of Center Street for skybridge support columns. Bridal said Public Works voiced no objection to the proposed 25-foot clearance.

Commissioner Rosenberg asked whether an aerial easement or other agreement would be required and whether compensation or coordination with the city’s real estate group would be necessary. City legal staff said a consent-to-encroach or license agreement is required for use of city aerial space and that such an agreement and any compensation would be handled with Public Works before recordation.

Staff recommended approval and the commission voted to grant the variance subject to CPC form conditions. The decision will require the developer to secure the right-to-encroach agreement and any necessary coordination with Public Works prior to recordation and permitting.

No public comments were filed in advance and no written opposition was noted in the staff report. The commission recorded the approval by voice vote.