Planning and Zoning Commission forwards recommendation on 202-unit Willows development

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the mayor and common council on Zoning Map Amendment ZMA 2401, a proposed 202-unit residential development referred to in the meeting as the Willows, endorsing plan development option three and architectural elevations option A as amended.

Staff summarized the project history and earlier direction from the commission, saying the item had been discussed in an August 29, 2024 work session and again on Feb. 17, 2026, when commissioners reviewed architectural elevations and provided feedback. "Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission review Zoning Map Amendment ZMA 2401 and provide a finding as to whether ZMA 2401 is in accordance with zoning ordinance Article 14 and Article 23 section 164-18," the staff member said while presenting the report and recommendation.

Commissioners discussed design refinements, including a requested "bump out" feature at building corners to break up a previously "boxy" appearance and changes to front and rear elevations. One commissioner said, "I think it's much much better than where we started," noting the revised elevations add variation to the facades. Another commissioner, during the motion discussion, said, "I spoke to the developer today and I mentioned it," indicating coordination between the commission and the applicant as details continue to be refined.

A commissioner moved that the commission find ZMA 2401 meets the cited zoning ordinance criteria and forward a favorable recommendation to the mayor and common council for plan development option three and architectural elevations option A as amended. The motion was seconded (the transcript does not record who seconded) and carried by voice vote; the transcript records the verbal outcome but does not include a roll-call tally or individual vote names.

Staff and commissioners agreed the item would return as a formal site plan for additional cleanup and that the recommendation packet was expected to go to the mayor and common council likely in June, because of meeting scheduling and the need to prepare the report and materials. The commission's action here is a recommendation to the mayor and common council; final approval is reserved for the council and for subsequent site-plan review by the commission.

Next procedural steps: staff will prepare the report and forward the recommendation to the mayor and common council; a formal site-plan application and additional commission review will follow before any final development approvals are granted.