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Planning commission recommends adaptive reuse at 1935–1949 South Fifth Street with conditions; two variances remain
Summary
The On‑site City Planning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board for the adaptive reuse of 1935–1949 South Fifth Street to add 12 apartments, subject to a list of conditions including completing the sewer planning module and adding parking and landscape mitigation.
The On‑site City Planning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board for an adaptive reuse application at 1935–1949 South Fifth Street, subject to a set of conditions the commission and staff summarized during a lengthy public hearing.
Melissa (planning staff) told the commission the proposal would convert the remaining warehouse into two stories and add 12 dwelling units (10 one‑bedroom and 2 two‑bedroom), creating additional housing on a site that already contains converted units. Staff noted the property is in the B‑1R Limited Business‑Residential District and that the adaptive reuse requires a special‑exception recommendation from the planning commission. The denial letter and related filings list two outstanding zoning variances the applicant has appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board: insufficient minimum lot area per dwelling unit and insufficient off‑street parking; the applicant’s zoning hearing meeting was scheduled for Oct. 27 (date cited by applicant/team in the meeting).
Architect Stuart Jack described existing green areas, the paving and structural pilasters that constrained window placement. Owner Bridal Abduche said the current parking lot has generally not been full and that tenants frequently rely on transit; she also said the current apartments include in‑unit washer/dryer hookups and that the owner plans to install matching white, grid‑pattern windows and provide a parcel locker and mailbox bank. In response to staff comments, the applicant agreed to show consistent window placement on revised plans and acknowledged structural pilasters will limit some window locations.
The commission and staff consolidated recommendations and conditions for the Zoning Hearing Board and for future plan review. Those conditions included: completing the sewer planning module prior to building permit approval; adding infrastructure for non‑motorized transportation (bike racks) and a small communal area (picnic tables) in the courtyard; converting portions of the front river‑rock area to a planting strip with low evergreen shrubs recommended by the Shade Tree Commission to buffer headlights; adding hatched painted pedestrian walkways when restriping the parking lot; resolving outstanding zoning issues; and ensuring the elevations and floor plans show consistent window placement. Staff also suggested considering decorative pilasters on the front facade to match the existing industrial character.
The commission made and seconded a motion to forward a favorable recommendation with the listed conditions; the motion passed by voice vote (tally not specified). The applicant will proceed to the Zoning Hearing Board for the two variances (lot area per dwelling unit and parking).
