Planning Commission approves seven‑unit infill building with reduced parking in Wells Avenue overlay (6–1)

The Planning Commission on May 8 approved a major deviation allowing a seven‑unit infill apartment building at 327 East Taylor to provide the citywide 1:1 parking standard (seven spaces) rather than the stricter Wells Avenue overlay requirement (1.25 spaces per two‑bedroom unit). The vote was 6–1.

City staff explained the deviation is being considered in the Wells Avenue overlay because the neighborhood plan predates some contemporary multimodal policy choices and the overlay’s parking rules are more restrictive than the citywide standard. Staff pointed to nearby transit service (including a BRT route on Center Street), bike-lane improvements planned by RTC and complete sidewalks on Taylor Street as factors that weigh in favor of lower required parking for this infill site.

Applicant representatives said the design orients units to the street, locates vehicle parking in the rear alley, and will provide required bicycle parking. A nearby homeowner who spoke at the meeting said the block already has four apartment complexes and weekday and weekend street parking can be congested. That commenter urged the commission to require the full overlay parking standard.

Commission discussion turned on how the city balances housing and infill goals with neighborhood parking impacts. Supporters of the deviation argued Wells Avenue is a multimodal corridor where lower parking requirements enable more housing. Opponents cited practical parking pressure in older neighborhoods with limited street capacity. Chair and several commissioners favored the deviation on transportation and housing-policy grounds; one commissioner voted no.

Motion outcome: the major deviation was approved, 6–1. The project will provide five on-site spaces and two credited on‑street spaces to satisfy the seven-space total per the commission’s action and the Wells overlay crediting policy.