Commission advances 21-acre Oakland Avenue rezoning to allow up to 254 apartments

Riley Putney, development coordinator in the Planning Division, presented the second-reading public hearing for ordinance 49-23-25 to rezone roughly 21.43 acres at 2875 East Oakland Avenue from R-4 and B-4 to R-5. Putney said the rezoning would permit up to 254 apartment units and six townhomes, require a concept plan showing seven apartment buildings and six townhomes, and allow a maximum building height of 65 feet for three- and four-story buildings. Staff recommended approval, noting the proposal aligns with the city's future land-use map and eliminates a split-zoned lot.

Putney said a traffic-impact analysis has been completed and the developer's concept includes two egress lanes and one ingress lane on East Oakland and an ingress/egress on East Springbrook with a deceleration lane. He also said the site plan includes a landscape buffer; if a natural buffer exists at civil plan submittal, city landscaping staff will evaluate whether it meets the minimum Type 1 buffering standard (10-foot with a 6-foot fence and trees, or 15-foot with more trees).

Warren Sugg, a design consultant with Civil Design Concepts, was present to answer technical questions about site access and confirmed primary access will be on East Oakland with additional access to Springbrook. No members of the public spoke in opposition at the hearing. The commission closed the public hearing, moved approval, and scheduled a final/third reading for September 4.