Committee approves site-specific rezoning north of Herman Avenue for 135-unit development

The Development, Planning, and Sustainability committee on March 24 approved ordinance 185-2026 (map change 2697), a site-specific rezoning north of Herman Avenue between West 65th Street and West 58th Street that will allow a previously approved site development plan to proceed.

City planning zoning planner Xavier Bay told the committee the plan converts the parcel from semi-industry G2 to local retail G2, incorporates a zero-foot map-specific setback that matches the built condition, and includes roughly 135 residential units, about 11,000 square feet of amenity space (office space, pool, fitness areas and a cafe), 127 parking spaces and a building height of about 42 feet.

Bay described required transit-oriented development elements, and said applicants have proposed a transit demand management strategy that includes an on-site drop-off/pickup zone, lobby kiosks with real-time transit information, indoor bike storage and repair stations, and streetscape improvements including wider sidewalks and buried overhead power lines.

Committee members praised the project as a reuse of a former industrial site for housing. Councilman Davis said the change is "a great project," and another member noted the rezoning narrows allowable uses (from general industrial to local retail) and corrects what staff described as a setback oversight by codifying a zero-foot setback consistent with adjacent properties.

Staff told the committee the project's community benefits agreement is separate from the rezoning action; developers have committed separate contributions toward Herman Park renovations. Bay said utility coordination is underway and that "they'll start construction this summer." The committee recorded that ordinance 185-2026 stands approved and asked members to sign in.

The meeting record did not include a roll-call vote tally for the ordinance; the action was recorded as approved at committee.