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Council reviews multiple conditional-use permit requests; Kingman Street CUP denied
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Summary
Council heard presentations on several conditional use permit requests for single-family dwellings on nonconforming lots (Spruce Street, Delaware Avenue and Kingman Street). Planning recommended approval for Spruce and Delaware (no public comment); the Kingman Street CUP drew neighbor opposition and the council voted 7–0 to deny it.
Council considered several conditional-use permit (CUP) applications for single-family dwellings on nonconforming lots.
In the work session Planner Ward presented a CUP by Baptiste Development LLC for Parcel 0420475 on Spruce Street (Ward 6, zoned R-4). The lot measures 55 feet wide but is undersized (~3,007 square feet). Ward said the applicant proposes a two-story, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath house (1,440 sq ft), noting the home will meet district setbacks. Staff recommended approval with standard conditions including 12-inch eaves, a minimum 20% tree canopy, an asphalt or concrete driveway, brick or stone foundation on all sides, and foundation plantings. The planning commission recommended approval 4–0 and no public comment had been received.
Ward also presented a similar CUP for Parcel 0670065 on Delaware Avenue (Ward 2, zoned R-3), a 40-foot-wide lot where the applicant proposes a one-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bath house (1,232 sq ft). Staff recommended approval with the same standard conditions; planning commission recommended approval 4–0 and no public comments were filed.
Later, the council held a public hearing on a CUP for Lot 0141252 on Kingman Street (Landova Properties; owner Richmond Wholesale Deals LLC) in Ward 5, zoned R-2. The planning commission had recommended denial (4–1), citing the lot’s small size relative to neighborhood patterns and concerns about consistency with surrounding one-story houses. An adjacent neighbor, Robert Cutler, testified in opposition, saying the proposed two-story house would infringe on adjacent yards and that he believed the lot was too small. During council debate members cited site-specific concerns, driveway placement and neighborhood character. Vice Mayor Joyner moved to deny the CUP; the motion passed on a roll-call vote of 7–0.
Planner Ward told the council that for the Kingman parcel staff’s recommendation had been to approve based on council direction favoring larger homes, but the planning commission and neighbors raised design and context concerns. No other public hearings were continued to future meetings; the Kingman CUP denial was the only formal land-use vote taken at this meeting.
