Developer outlines 147-unit affordable housing plan for 41 Maryland Ave.; requests height increase, parking waiver, MPDU transfer

Developers and city planners presented a project plan amendment for 41 Maryland Avenue on Monday, proposing a 12‑story multifamily building with 147 affordable units, no on‑site parking, and an amendment to existing MPDU covenants at Boulevard 44.

The briefing, delivered by Christopher Davis of the Community Planning and Development Services Department and Kirk Salpini of Stratford Capital Group (SCG), described a compact building footprint with 27% open space, a mix of studio through three‑bedroom units targeted to households at roughly 50–80% of area median income (AMI), and a request to increase the approved PDP height by 20 feet (from 100 feet to 120 feet above the 448‑foot elevation).

City staff framed the session as a preliminary project‑plan briefing intended to gather Mayor and Council feedback before the formal review sequence. Davis said the application has completed pre‑application and post‑application area meetings and a Planning Commission briefing; the applicant has a Development Review Committee meeting scheduled next. He described the next steps as: refine designs in response to public and staff comments, return to the Planning Commission for recommendation, then return to Mayor and Council for public hearing and possible adoption.

SCG’s presentation emphasized that the proposal would deliver a fully affordable product and that the company operates comparable 100% affordable properties in the region. Salpini said the project would include a mix of unit sizes and income bands and increase the number of MPDU‑equivalent affordable units compared with a typical market redevelopment at this site. He told the Council the team proposes to transfer 46 existing MPDU units from Boulevard 44 into the new building with a replacement covenant that would extend affordability there for 99 years.

On parking, the applicant requested a waiver to provide zero on‑site parking, saying Town Center already contains roughly 3,400 structured spaces within two blocks and that structured parking would add cost and make the project infeasible. The team said the project would add one enhanced ADA curb‑side space on Maryland Avenue and seek lease arrangements for residents who want parking in nearby Comstock facilities; Comstock representatives said they expect to lease unused spaces to future residents but are not proposing a formal parking covenant.

Council discussion focused on density, unit mix, MPDU relocation mechanics, displacement risk for existing Boulevard 44 occupants, timing, parking access for residents who need cars, and pedestrian improvements on Maryland Avenue and East Middle Lane. Councilmembers asked for detail on bedroom mix (the applicant said about 15% three‑bedroom, 15% two‑bedroom, roughly 40% one‑bedroom, and about 15% studios), the projected opening (applicants and staff gave estimates in the 2028–2029 range but noted financing and entitlements affect schedule), and how relocated MPDU households would be prioritized. SCG said existing MPDU tenants would be offered choices and that unit sizes in the new building are expected to be equal to or larger than the existing units.

No formal Mayor and Council decision was taken at the briefing. Staff and the applicant will continue review, hold technical DRC meetings, and return with a Planning Commission recommendation and a public hearing date for Mayor and Council action.

Ending: Staff said it will circulate additional detail and thanked the applicant and community for early meetings; Councilmembers asked for follow‑up material on parking leasing terms, MPDU relocation logistics and moving assistance, ADA provisions, and estimated student‑generation and amenity impacts.