Council finds planning commission's brick-condition decision raised process concerns; directs staff to return with amended resolution

The City Council reviewed a Planning Commission decision that had required the unpainted brick adjacent to a Forest Avenue parking garage remain unpainted as a condition of design-review approval. After public testimony and discussion of process, council concluded there was an appearance of prejudgment by the Planning Commission and directed staff to return with a resolution removing the brick-preservation condition.

Background: The design-review matter (a downtown mixed-use building at 332–334 Forest Avenue) had been before the Planning Commission and included public comment and alternatives; the Commission conditionally approved the project but required that the brick adjacent to the parking garage remain unpainted and also required a darker trim. The property owner painted the brick…