Neighbor concerns emerge as committee hears petition to retain three units at 892 Delia Avenue

The Planning and Economic Development Committee heard a conditional-use request from owner Britney Beck to retain a three-unit apartment at 892 Delia Avenue. The applicant said the building was purchased in February 2023, renovated, and currently contains one unit per floor. Planning staff described the structure as a stacked bungalow built in 1928 and said renovations include new windows, floors, counters, plumbing and electrical; the property has five rear parking spaces that exceed code requirements.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval on condition that the third-floor ceiling height be brought into compliance with the housing code; the housing division manager had identified ceiling height as the primary compliance issue. Staff noted other multifamily dwellings exist nearby and that retaining the third unit would not significantly increase density if the unit meets code.

A neighbor, Rex Worthy, spoke against the request and asked whether the property would become a facility for people on supervision; he described past incidents and police responses at adjacent properties and said safety and nuisance behavior had affected his quality of life. Britney Beck, the owner, stated that the current occupants are families and her brother-in-law and denied that violent individuals are living in the building. Planning staff offered to meet with concerned residents after the meeting.

The committee did not vote in the afternoon session and said it would repeat the hearing and possibly vote at 5 p.m.