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Developer seeks mixed‑use land‑use change for downtown lot; council continues item after resident concerns
Summary
Magic House LLC requested a small‑scale future land‑use amendment to allow three townhomes at 155 M A Board Street in the CRA; neighbors and commissioners raised concerns about scale, density, potential rentals and compatibility with single‑family homes. Council continued the ordinance to Nov. 5 for redesign and further review.
An applicant seeking to reclassify a 0.27‑acre downtown parcel from residential medium to mixed use asked the City Council on Oct. 1 for a change that would allow townhomes at 155 M A Board Street. Planner Junson said the current future land use allows up to 10 dwelling units per acre (10 du/acre); mixed use allows 15 du/acre, which for this parcel yields an ability to permit up to four dwelling units — the applicant proposes three townhomes.
Magic House LLC representatives said the units would be two‑story, about 2,400 square feet and marketed for sale (not rental). "Our purpose on our development is to commit with the selling of the ownership and not to construct any rental property there," the applicant said.
Residents and several commissioners raised concerns about compatibility with surrounding single‑family homes, the parcel’s small size, impacts on neighbors’ privacy and potential for future rentals. Commissioners also asked for price‑point information and whether sewer and services are available; staff confirmed utilities exist and that the property is within the CRA overlay district where mixed use is allowed under the comprehensive plan.
Council members urged the applicant to return with revised designs that address neighbor sightlines and to provide additional information on affordability and owner‑occupancy safeguards. The item was continued to the Nov. 5 meeting by motion of Commissioner Smith and second by Commissioner Anderson.
Why it matters: small infill projects in CRA districts can increase housing supply but also raise neighborhood concerns about compatibility, displacement and housing type. The council asked staff and the applicant to consider single‑story alternatives and owner‑occupancy assurances where possible.
Next steps: the applicant will return with updated design options and additional information about sales strategy, and staff will provide any missing technical details requested by council (setbacks, utilities and CRA consistency). The council will revisit the item on Nov. 5.
