Commission approves 4‑story Art Deco mixed‑use building at 398 NE 6th Ave

The City Commission unanimously approved final action on March 9 for a four‑story Art Deco–style development at 398 Northeast 6th Avenue that will include eight condominiums, approximately 1,200 square feet of ground‑floor retail and a rooftop amenity area.

The applicant’s design team (Bradley Miller, Urban Design Studio) described the project’s massing, alley‑served parking with tandem stalls and a decorative architectural finial that encroaches slightly into the required upper‑story setback. Staff noted the project is under allowable FAR and meets downtown height criteria; the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval (6–1 on some items) after review of design details.

Commission discussion focused on alley loading, whether the proposed 5‑foot pull‑off is adequate for deliveries, tandem parking acceptability in the downtown context and the effect of the corner‑clip dedication on measuring setbacks. Staff and the applicant noted the corner dedication improves public safety and that the alley dedication will increase alley width toward the city standard when adjacent parcels redevelop.

Commissioner questions were answered about the number of parking spaces (20 total, with some tandem stalls), roof top features, and landscaping; the commission found that the project met site plan criteria for design quality and public realm impacts and voted to approve.

Next steps: Building permits and final engineering will follow; the action taken on March 9 is final for the Level 4 site plan and does not return to the commission for approval.