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Council approves special-use permit and parking variance for proposed 42-unit senior housing at 720 West Market; names two planning commissioners
Summary
Council approved a planning-commission–recommended special-use permit and a variance to reduce lot and parking requirements for a proposed 42-unit senior independent-living project at 720 West Market Street, and appointed two members to the planning commission; motions carried on roll-call votes.
The City Council approved a special-use permit and a variance Tuesday evening to allow a 42-unit senior independent-living residence at 720 West Market Street and appointed two members to the planning commission.
The Chair read Ordinance 15-70, a planning-commission–recommended special-use permit submitted by John Brennan that would permit the senior residential community in the city’s R-core district. The council moved and approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote.
Council then considered Ordinance 15-71, a variance from John Cronin that would reduce the required lot area per dwelling from 7,500 square feet to 5,200 square feet and lower required parking from two spaces per dwelling to 1.25 spaces in the R-4 district for the same property. A council member questioned whether the reduced parking requirement reflected lower vehicle ownership among senior residents, saying, "most of those residents do not drive anymore," and cited a local project with similar parking assumptions. The council approved the variance on a roll-call vote.
Following the land-use votes, the council voted to appoint two people to the planning commission. The Chair announced the appointments in the minutes as Brad Mayberry (transcript spelling inconsistent) and Jennifer Tepe; motions to appoint were approved by roll call.
Why it matters: The special-use permit and variance clear regulatory hurdles for a mid-size senior housing project in a central neighborhood, potentially adding 42 units aimed at older residents to the city’s housing stock. The planning-commission recommendation and the council’s approvals move the project closer to permitting and eventual development, subject to any required permits or conditions not detailed in the minutes.
What’s next: The council did not record further conditions or a detailed implementation timeline in the minutes; subsequent steps typically include building permits and any required site development reviews.
