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Planning Commission backs West Pages Lane rezoning and development plan with binding elements
Summary
Commission recommended changing a West Pages Lane parcel from R-4 to R-6 for a 78-unit apartment development after the applicant revised plans to add fire-lane access, adjust building spacing and include binding elements for a minimum 6-foot privacy fence, fire-lane delineation and tree plantings.
The Planning Commission voted to recommend Metro Council approve a rezoning and district development plan for 4933 West Pages Lane, a project that would deliver 78 apartments in four buildings and includes several binding elements requested by staff, the fire department and commissioners. The commission approved the zoning change from R-4 to R-6, the form-district update for the small C-2 portion of the site, a waiver for limited landscaping encroachments and the detailed district development plan including binding elements.
Project highlights and changes: The developer revised the plan after interagency review to add a fire-lane solution behind the north buildings using heavy-duty grass pavers, increase spacing between the northern buildings to meet fire access concerns, and reduce the southern L-shaped building to two stories at a council member’s request. The plan keeps the existing house on the site as a leasing office and places parking internal to the block. The applicant’s traffic memo and counts show projected trips below the threshold for a full traffic study; staff summarized that the net effect on intersection level-of-service is negligible under standard modeling assumptions.
Key binding elements adopted: the plan includes written commitments that the fire lane behind the buildings will be clearly delineated and signed as a no-parking area and that details will be approved by Metro Public Works and Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department; a minimum 6-foot solid privacy fence will screen adjacent single-family homes and must be maintained in perpetuity; the applicant will attempt to plant replacement trees on adjacent Metro-owned property where feasible.
Opposition points: Several neighbors spoke in opposition, citing safety concerns at the Dixie Highway/West Pages intersection, erosion and floodplain proximity to the proposed L-shaped building, and fears that limited parking will push cars into neighborhood streets and even into the proposed fire lane. The applicant and staff said MSD had reviewed stormwater and floodplain work and that finished-floor elevations and construction details will meet MSD requirements at the construction plan stage.
Commission action: The Commission voted to recommend the zoning and approve the development plan with binding elements as read into the record, while noting concerns raised by neighbors and the need for careful construction-plan review on floodplain and drainage matters.
