Planning Commission approves SUP to allow townhomes at 320 S. Walnut with screening condition

The Stillwater Planning Commission voted 3-1 to approve Specific Use Permit SUP25-03 to allow townhomes in the RT district at 320 South Walnut Street, attaching a condition that the developer install a minimum six-foot opaque fence along the west property line.

Josh Brown, development coordinator with the City of Stillwater Development Services, presented a conceptual site plan and elevation, stating the proposal meets required setbacks and that the dumpster is located within property lines. Brown said the parking plan currently shows eight on-site spaces and additional on-street spaces; on-street parking had been submitted to engineering and would require approval by the city manager’s office.

David Barth, Development Services director, clarified how the city counts on-street parking toward requirements: "You are allowed to use, on street parking to count towards your parking. It's just the requirements are you can you have to take, 2 spaces of on street parking as equivalent to 1 space for your require to meet your requirements." Barth explained the project needs nine parking spaces under code; it proposes eight on-site spaces and would rely on on-street spaces (counted at the city’s conversion rate) if approved.

Aaron Ferguson of Bancroft Design said the developer plans townhomes and that conceptual plans meet setbacks; he noted that detailed site plans and building permits will be submitted later. Commissioners raised concerns about a three-story building overlooking single-family homes to the west, screening between the development and adjacent properties, and the potential number of occupants per unit. Barth and other staff noted the municipal code does not limit the number of people who can occupy a dwelling; code defines a townhome by arrangement and fire separation rather than number of stories or occupants.

Commission debate produced a motion to approve the specific use permit with a condition requiring a six-foot opaque view-blocking fence along the west property line. The motion was seconded and passed on a 3-1 vote. Some commissioners indicated they preferred not to impose a height restriction, while others expressed concern about neighborhood impacts; no members of the public spoke during the hearing.

Staff noted further review will be required for street parking approval, final site plan, building permits and any conditioned landscaping or screening required as part of the SUP.