Planning board approves final site plan for District Lots Phase 3 at 325 S. Eaton with conditions

The Birmingham Planning Board on Jan. 28 unanimously approved the final site plan and design review for District Lots Phase 3, a four‑story mixed‑use building at 325 South Eaton Street, subject to six conditions required by staff.

Planning staff reviewed the application as a carryover from 2021; the proposal maintains ground‑floor commercial space with residential units above and uses a shared parking structure. Staff noted some plan details remain to be finalized, including complete bedroom counts and room layouts needed to verify minimum lot area per unit, photometric clarifications for circulation areas and transformer screening. Staff said the Eaton Road redesign will shift the curb 5–6 feet to the west and asked the applicant to update plans to reflect that change.

Architect Alex Saroki and owner/builder John Kelly described the project and the changes since the earlier approval. Saroki said the curb shift will allow more green space and landscaping and that the team will reduce impervious surface where possible. Kelly addressed circulation and safety questions about a gate that had been installed at the rear of the campus, calling it a private access control measure intended to manage deliveries and to limit through traffic for residents; he said the project will add pavers/rumble strips and other measures to slow vehicles.

Board members asked detailed questions about loading areas, parking calculations and unit sizes. The applicant said the Phase 3 building will be rental housing (not condominiums) with many one‑bedroom units in the ~692–700 sq. ft. range, designed to provide comparatively more affordable rental options than larger units built nearby. Staff said initial parking calculations show the site has roughly 20 more spaces than required by current use assumptions, but final parking will be confirmed after the applicant submits updated unit floor plans.

The board approved the final site plan subject to six conditions: (1) update plans to incorporate the Eaton Road redesign and adjust as necessary; (2) submit complete floor plans indicating number of bedrooms for every unit to verify minimum lot area per unit; (3) submit a revised photometric plan showing proper illuminance levels for circulation areas connecting Phase 3 to the parking structure; (4) indicate first‑floor ceiling height of 12 feet on building plans; (5) provide dimensions for mechanical/equipment screens to verify proper screening; and (6) comply with requests of all city departments.

The motion to approve was moved and seconded and passed unanimously. The project will proceed with the conditions and required follow‑up from staff.

Next steps: applicant to submit revised plans and coordinate with city engineering and permitting staff during final review.