PRC reviews proposed conversion of 416 S. Main into four suites; downtown design, parking and sprinkler triggers highlighted

The Project Review Committee on Dec. 11 reviewed PRC-2024-309, a proposal to convert Maybrick's Porterville Suites at 416 South Main Street from an automotive repair use into four tenant suites with a proposed Pilates studio in Suite B.

Rocio Mejia, assistant planner, summarized staff's preliminary planning comments: the property is zoned Downtown Mixed Use with a downtown overlay, and facade changes and tenant improvements must comply with the downtown design guidelines (chapter 202.04 supplemental regulations). Planning reminded the applicant that ground-floor windows and building entrances are regulated in the downtown design guidelines and that exterior material and color changes should adopt a unified palette. Planning said it will provide the applicant with the downtown design guidelines and map layers.

The applicant and other speakers raised the age and construction of the building (described in the meeting as more than 50 years old) and questioned how the guidelines apply to existing storefront openings and roll-up doors. Staff said existing features can be legal nonconforming and that required upgrades generally apply to the portions of the building that change; planning staff…