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Council approves conditional rezoning for Laurel & Pine project with conditions including garbage corral and additional landscaping
Summary
Council approved a conditional rezoning amendment for Laurel & Pine LLC reducing a prior plan to five townhome units, allowing limited height stepping to 37'3" under proposed conditions, and requiring a garbage corral and additional landscaping on street sides as part of the approval.
The council approved a revised conditional rezoning for a downtown development now called Laurel & Pine, a project that was previously reviewed under alternate names and layouts. Staff said the proposal reduces an earlier approval from eight townhomes to five three‑bedroom units, retains required parking counts and setbacks, and proposes stepped roof peaks that could reach 37 feet 3 inches under a historic allowance the applicant cited.
Planning staff noted that because fire apparatus cannot traverse the site, the building will be sprinklered. The applicant’s architect, Matthew Jones, said the slightly taller peaks support a more articulated, less boxy design and that alternative compliance paths (such as reduced roof slopes) could be considered to meet a strict 35‑foot height limit.
Resident Jamie Dixie asked whether stucco would be removed from the design; the applicant said stucco usage was limited to small accent areas and was not a critical element if the council preferred other materials. Council members discussed fenestration requirements on the first floor and asked the applicant to confirm the 50 percent windows/doors provision on the lowest level; the architect and staff said they would verify and, if needed, increase openings or alter landscaping to meet the intent of the ordinance.
A councilmember moved to approve the project as presented with conditions requiring a garbage corral to be included on plans and consideration of additional landscaping on street sides; the motion was seconded and passed with recorded aye votes from councilmembers present.
Next steps: Staff will require the recombination plat prior to building permits, require approval of screening for an existing hot box on Laurel Lane, and ensure the approved conditions (including the height stepping and material restrictions where applicable) are included in the ordinance language and building permit review.
