Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer pitches mixed-use —President's Park— concept; council praises idea, flags parking and zoning hurdles
Summary
Developer Mike Olson presented a mixed-use concept for about six acres across from Wells Elementary that would pair ground-floor retail with studio apartments above; council welcomed the walkable‑neighborhood idea but raised parking, code and height/fire-access questions and asked staff to review zoning and development-agreement requirements.
Developer Mike Olson on April 23 presented a conceptual plan for a mixed‑use pocket in the President's Park area — roughly six acres across Washington from Wells Elementary School — featuring ground‑floor storefronts with studio apartments above aimed at lower-cost rental options.
What was proposed: Olson showed a rendering and described a layout with retail units on the street level (roughly 25 by 35 feet per storefront) and single‑level studio apartments above, noting the developer's experience with similar projects in Colorado and a target of about $1,000 per unit for new studios. He said the design seeks a walkable neighborhood with small businesses (flower shops, tutoring, small‑scale retail) that do not need Main Street frontage.
Council feedback and issues: Council members praised the concept but repeatedly raised parking and land‑use questions. Staff and council discussed whether the property's PUD designation and the city's current CN/R‑121 zoning allow residential over retail as proposed, whether a development‑agreement amendment would be required, and whether building height limits (35–45 feet) and fire/ladder access would constrain three‑story elements. Planning staff committed to review the MDA and code and to work with the developer on any necessary zone or agreement amendments.
Next steps: Olson will coordinate with Shelby and planning staff to review code constraints and refine the plan; council indicated initial support for pursuing the concept if parking and code issues can be resolved.
Context: The proposal aims to add neighborhood retail and small rental units on the west end of Adams Street where the city has limited commercial activity, and to improve local walkability by providing neighborhood services closer to growing residential areas.
