Council approves Augustine Avenue preliminary PUD and plat after floodplain, parking and stormwater questions

Moscow City Council approved a preliminary planned unit development (PUD) and preliminary plat for the Augustine Avenue Apartments, a mixed-use subdivision that would create 10 parcels and 10 buildings with 114 dwelling units and 16 commercial live-work units on 4.06 acres.

City planning staff said the property is designated high-density residential and noted the proposal would require an 18% density increase above base zoning; staff recommended layered bonuses totaling 19% across housing-mix, sustainability, alternative-transportation, water-saving, and aesthetic categories, and recommended approval of the PUD and—subject to one condition from Planning and Zoning—the preliminary plat. Staff also reported off-street parking would provide 198 spaces (6 ADA) and 88 bicycle parking spaces.

During the public hearing and applicant presentation, designer Scott Summer described the project’s configuration (Alfred three‑story buildings and tenplexes), grading already performed to raise some areas above mapped flood elevations, and the team’s commitment to obtain an elevation certificate and a floodplain development permit. Summer said, “we’ll meet the rules, and we’ll fill out all the paperwork, permits and go through everything with the city, FEMA, and all the jurisdictions that require it.”

Residents and renters who spoke during public testimony said Moscow needs more housing. Renter John Slagboom said increased supply “will help people like me and families and individuals have more affordable places to stay.” Several council members probed stormwater, ADA access and alley/traffic impacts; staff confirmed engineering had found existing water and sanitary capacity adequate and said a stormwater report will be required and reviewed by the city engineer.

A council motion to approve the preliminary PUD and adopt the Planning & Zoning Commission’s findings carried on roll call; a separate motion approving the preliminary plat with the Planning & Zoning Commission’s single condition (submission of a project stormwater report and any mitigation necessary to prevent downstream impacts) also passed. The council closed the hearing and moved on to the next item.

Next steps: the applicant will pursue required permits, provide the stormwater report to the city engineer for approval, and return to the city for final plat and any building- or permit-level reviews.