Board backs expanding office‑to‑other‑uses conversions in downtown DDRI (subareas D and G)

On June 5 the board voted unanimously to recommend a text amendment to ordinance 40‑35 that would allow up to 90% of the original office allocation in downtown DDRI subareas D and G to be converted to other uses, increasing the prior 50% conversion limit and following precedent set earlier for subarea E.

Arlene Chees Nelson, the DDRI planning analyst, said the amendment does not mandate conversions but provides developers flexibility when market demand for office is low; staff recommended approval. Petitioner representatives explained the policy objective is to avoid a de‑facto moratorium on downtown redevelopment by increasing conversion capacity and pointed to prior amendments in subarea E as precedent. The board’s discussion included a traffic consultant who said conversions typically reduce commuter peak traffic because residential and mixed uses generate more internal capture and less concentrated AM/PM commute peaks.

Board members supported the change as a temporary measure that provides flexibility while a rewrite of ordinance 40‑35 is considered; the motion passed 7‑0. The amendment would not compel conversions and would leave a percentage of office allocation reserved in other subareas.