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Commission rejects two‑family duplex proposal in Old Town, citing streetscape and compatibility concerns
Summary
Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a conditional use permit for four duplexes (eight units) in Old Town, noting conflicts with the Old Town revitalization vision, driveway impacts on Grand Boulevard, and design compatibility with earlier planning work.
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to deny a request from Grand Development LLC for four duplex buildings (eight units total) on four adjacent lots in Old Town (addresses on Grand Boulevard), expressing concerns the proposal would conflict with the Old Town revitalization objectives and create driveway/parking and streetscape challenges.
Staff explained the development would place two‑family buildings on narrow 37‑by‑125‑foot lots and recommended approval only if the applicant provided rear‑loaded garages with alley access and porches to improve the frontage. During public comment, business owner Rick Sims and others argued the proposal did not align with the revitalization plan or the character envisioned for the area, and raised parking and circulation concerns.
Applicant representative said the units were intended as affordable small bungalows and could be rental or sold as duplex pairs, but commissioners repeatedly raised compatibility issues with the Old Town streetscape and the draft revitalization plan. On the record the commission amended the application to include staff recommendations and then voted; the transcript records the outcome explicitly as 'Fails 0 to 6.' The commission therefore did not recommend approval.
Next steps: Because the commission did not recommend the CUP, the applicant may revise the proposal to better meet Old Town design guidance or pursue another approach consistent with the revitalization plan.
