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Planning Commission reverses director, allows streetscape waivers for Avalon Point UNO project
Summary
The commission reversed an administrative denial and approved three requested streetscape waivers for Avalon Point at 2610 Hume Place, allowing the applicant to pursue an existing site plan for a high-density University Neighborhood Overlay project after months of review and a construction pause.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to reverse the director's denial of three requested waivers to University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) streetscape requirements for the Avalon Point development at 2610 Hume Place.
The commission's reversal approves waivers the applicant sought for pedestrian-scale street lighting, pedestrian clear-zone configuration and tree spacing requirements in the Building Criteria Manual. Commissioners voted 9-0 to overturn the director's decision after extended staff, applicant and public discussion.
Urban Design staff represented by Jorge Arusselan told commissioners the project's approved site plan (issued Jan. 29, 2024) nevertheless fails to accommodate required streetscape elements because of the parcel's extremely narrow frontage and unusual geometry. The applicant's representative, Leah Bojo, said the site has about 46.5 feet of frontage on Hume Place, a small private access easement and constrained areas for utilities; she told commissioners the prior approved site plan led to an on-site construction start in late 2024 and that a neighborhood complaint prompted review and a temporary pause in construction in mid-January 2025.
Leah Bojo said the project is an approved 10-story building with 142 multifamily units (30 affordable at 50-60% MFI) and 18 parking spaces; she asked the commission to reverse the director so the team could file corrected waiver documentation and proceed. Urban Design had argued the proposal's above-grade planter and facade-mounted lighting do not meet the cited standards and that the driveway and required building services leave insufficient room for the standard curb-to-furniture-and-furnishings sequence.
Adjacent property owners and neighborhood groups opposed the waivers. Walter Lukasz, speaking for nearby property owners, cited a recorded private access ("bridal way") easement and contended the project's layout encroached on that restriction and on a sewer/service access. Mike McComb, representing University Area Partners, noted access width and emergency access concerns and said the organization supported the director's denial.
The commission's motion to reverse the director's denial was seconded by Commissioner Maxwell. Commissioners emphasized the site's unusual constraints and asked the applicant to re-file a clarified waiver submittal that implements the commission's direction; the applicant said they would promptly amend and resubmit waiver materials.
Action taken: Motion to reverse the director's denial of the three UNO/BMC waivers and to allow the applicant to pursue the revised waiver submission (mover: Chair; second: Commissioner Maxwell; outcome: approved 9-0).
