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Forest Park planning office previews architectural text change, College Street housing deal and Forest Parkway redevelopment
Summary
Interim planning director Savon Irons said staff are improving permitting turnaround and that a text amendment to streamline residential architectural review is before the planning commission; economic development said a purchase-and-sale for College Street housing is near completion and the former Rite Aid is being redeveloped.
Interim Planning and Community Development Director Savon Irons told residents the department is focused on steady service and faster permitting, saying staff are working to “improve turnaround times and ensure front counter coverage” for applicants. She highlighted public notice and community input as central to rezones and conditional uses and noted the urban design review board is reviewing five cases at its next meeting.
Irons said a proposed text amendment to the city’s architectural review process for residential properties is before the planning commission this evening; “if recommended, the amendment will move forward to city council for final consideration at the January 20 meeting,” she said. The amendment, she added, is intended to streamline the process for residents while preserving neighborhood character.
Economic Development Director Dennis told the meeting the city is finalizing partnerships and events that support local business and housing. He said the city is about “a month away from finalizing the purchase and sale agreement for the development of our College Street lots, for housing development coming,” and that details will be released once the agreement is signed. Dennis also noted the Urban Redevelopment Agency recently acquired the former Rite Aid building on Forest Parkway; construction contracts were approved and interior demolition has begun, with initial plans for several restaurants and community meeting and entertainment space.
Why it matters: The text amendment would change how some residential improvements are reviewed and could speed up homeowner projects; the College Street purchase and the Forest Parkway redevelopment signal near-term private investment that may affect housing and commercial corridors.
What’s next: The planning commission’s recommendation will determine whether the amendment comes to council on Jan. 20; the Economic Development Office said it will announce the full terms of the College Street deal once the purchase-and-sale agreement is executed.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article include Interim Planning Director Savon Irons (first referenced SEG 013) and Economic Development Director Dennis (first referenced SEG 069).
