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Planning commission upholds PMND and zoning administrator grants variances for Columbus Avenue project
Summary
The commission upheld the Preliminary Mitigated Negative Declaration for a proposed mixed-use project at 12551275 Columbus Avenue and the zoning administrator granted three variances (commercial parking, rear yard, new curb cut). Staff said the PMND adequately analyzed traffic and historic resources; the project sponsor emphasized safety improvements and more retail frontage.
The Planning Commission on May 11 upheld the Planning Department' finding that a Preliminary Mitigated Negative Declaration (PMND) was adequate for the proposed demolition of a 1954 office building and construction of a 54,000-square-foot mixed-use building at 12551275 Columbus Avenue. The PMND covers potential traffic, pedestrian, parking and historic-resource effects.
Chelsea Fordham of planning staff summarized the project and the department's response to appeal points, saying the PMND addresses traffic and pedestrian impacts and adequately analyzes compatibility with neighborhood character. Kevin Guy (planning staff) detailed three variances requested by the sponsor: waiving the required quantity of commercial parking (no commercial spaces proposed where 13 would normally be required), an alternative approach to a rear yard via interior courtyards because of an irregular lot, and a new 10-foot curb cut to access below-grade parking where recent code changes have prohibited new curb cuts on that portion of Columbus.
Appellants raised concerns about traffic at the nearby intersection, cumulative impacts and parking; speakers for the project said a smaller curb cut and buried parking will reduce hazards and improve pedestrian conditions. After public comment and deliberation, the commission voted to uphold the PMND; the zoning administrator was then recorded as granting the requested variances and adopting the PMND and Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program.
What passed: the PMND was upheld (motion recorded and voted). The zoning administratorgranted the three variances and adopted the PMND and MMRP.
Next steps: if the appellant wishes to challenge the zoning-administrator variance decision, that decision letter may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 10 days of issuance.
