Council reviews four‑story Hill/ Hoth Flats plan; parking, PUD relief and uptown impacts discussed

Planning staff presented the Hill (Hoth) Flats preliminary and final site development plans for a single‑phase project: a four‑story residential building with an underground garage, 24 units (eighteen 1‑bedroom and six 2‑bedroom). The applicant is requesting PUD zoning to deviate from standard parking and setback requirements.

Staff said the project proposes 24 parking spaces (one per unit) with 13 spaces inside the building and 11 exterior spaces dedicated to residents. The city’s parking‑modeling tool was run using a 1:1 ratio for this long‑standing concept; staff reported the model does not substantially stress uptown parking capacity at the current level of development but advised the city will monitor impacts as additional projects come online.

The project’s design is predominantly masonry with panel systems to break up the façade. Planning & Zoning recommended approval. Council members asked practical questions about driveway access and traffic, and staff explained the driveway was oriented to 10th Street to avoid conflicts at a nearby signal on 8th Avenue.

Council members discussed forming a technical parking committee to use the parking model more proactively and to provide short‑, mid‑ and long‑term strategies for uptown parking. Staff said they expect to present a draft ordinance and committee framework in Q1 2025.

Councilmembers also raised aesthetic concerns about ground‑level masonry facing the street and asked staff to work with the developer on landscaping and materials to soften the streetwall.

The developer is scheduled to appear with more materials at the upcoming Council meeting.