Florence City Planning Commission approves three townhome projects and grants variances

At its October meeting the Florence City Planning Commission approved annexation, zoning and sketch plans for multiple townhome developments and granted several variances to allow denser infill housing.

Planning staff presented four closely related items: annexation and NC 6.3 zoning for a South Irving Street parcel, a sketch plan for Point South Townhomes on that parcel, the Villa Toscana Townhomes sketch plan, and a downtown West Chavez Street mixed-use townhome project. Planning staff said the South Irving parcel currently contains a single-family house and that NC 6.3 is the zoning designation that permits townhomes. "It will consist of two separate buildings... a total of 13 townhome units," planning staff stated about the Point South proposal. Staff recommended Type B buffer yards and noted city water, sewer and stormwater inspections would apply during construction.

For Villa Toscana staff described a 1.47-acre project with four buildings totaling 24 townhome units and 48 parking spaces. The main variance request was to allow townhome buildings to be oriented perpendicular to Toscana Drive rather than fronting it; staff said utilities and inspections would follow standard procedures. For the West Chavez Street project staff described a 0.506-acre mixed-use plan with commercial storefronts and 10 townhome units and noted two variance requests: reduced parking stall size (proposed 8.5 by 18 feet versus the typical 9 by 19 feet) and reduced separation between unattached townhome units (proposed 17 feet versus 20 feet). Staff reported consultation with the fire marshal and said the project will proceed through the design review board for aesthetics and compliance.

Commissioners asked about site context and accessibility. When a commissioner asked whether reduced parking would affect accessible spaces, staff said the design will include at least one van-accessible on-street space on Chavez Street and that a related streetscape project will incorporate accessible parking. Commissioners also discussed downtown housing needs; staff referenced a recent downtown study estimating the need for additional units to support commercial growth.

All four land-use items were approved by voice vote after public comment and brief discussion. The commission approved the annexation and NC 6.3 zoning for the South Irving parcel, approved the Point South Townhomes sketch plan and the 3-foot rear setback variance, approved the Villa Toscana sketch plan and orientation variance, and approved the West Chavez Street sketch plan with the two requested variances. The meeting transcript records the motions and that the ayes carried, but individual roll-call tallies were not recorded.

The commission also set its November meeting for Nov. 4 and received an update that site work has begun at the Stokes Eye Clinic joint-venture site, where the first vertical construction is expected to be apartments with possible future hotel and commercial elements.

The commission will next consider construction plans and design review submittals as developers move toward final development plans and building permits.