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Neighbors raise privacy and parking concerns as board approves 4‑unit townhouse project on East Churchwell Avenue
Summary
A neighbor told the board the four‑unit townhouse at 816 East Churchwell will increase parking pressure and diminish backyard privacy; the board approved the project with conditions to reduce rear-window visibility and required additional design and landscape measures including new sidewalks and shade trees.
The Design Review Board approved a four-unit townhouse at 816 East Churchwell Avenue (Case 11C25IH) after public comment raised privacy and parking concerns.
Owner and architect representatives described a design that negotiates a steep slope and includes a single-family scale front unit and three units facing Huron Street. During public comment, Chris Schubert (owner of 808 East Churchwell Avenue) said the proposal would reduce privacy for existing neighbors, eliminate a historic driveway easement to an adjacent property, and worsen on-street parking demand in an area already constrained by a nearby police station and new development.
Owner Spencer Stanley said he had discussed access with the adjacent property owner and indicated no easement existed for the driveway. Architect Jonah Pruett said the design attempts to limit visibility into neighboring backyards by modifying second-floor window sizes; the team committed to revising rear elevations where possible within egress and life-safety requirements. The project includes adding sidewalks along Huron Street and landscaping; staff recommended approval with conditions to reduce rear-window transparency and to revise window groupings to single units where feasible. The board approved the project per staff recommendation with added conditions about reducing rear-window width and confirming sidewalk and landscaping plans.
