Commission approves Genesis Land special‑use permit for two‑story multifamily with conditions

The Planning and Zoning Commission on April 14 approved the Genesis Land special‑use permit (SUP‑26‑2), allowing multifamily forplex housing on a 6.52‑acre parcel in the Community Commercial Service (CCS) zone, subject to staff‑recommended conditions plus an added condition limiting buildings to two stories.

Planning manager John Manley told commissioners that the CCS zone allows multifamily development through a special‑use permit and that staff recommended conditions requiring a traffic impact study (TIS) and coordination with the fire department; staff also noted that projects exceeding 100 units may require a secondary access unless building design or fire suppression measures satisfy fire department requirements.

The applicant, Ray Kimble, explained the site history (previously planned as a school), the proposed product (two‑story forplexes at roughly 18 units per acre, with units around 1,200 square feet), and engineering proposals including a 10‑ft separated pathway across the frontage and roadway widening on East 16th Avenue. He said the design will provide two parking spaces per unit (227 spaces total reported) and that the development will extend the pedestrian network near adjacent soccer fields and commercial corridors.

Public testimony included several speakers in favor: a nearby commercial building owner and other developers said the deep parcel is poorly suited to typical highway‑front retail and that rooftops will support local businesses; speakers in opposition raised concerns about traffic flow, student pedestrian safety near bus stops and soccer fields, on‑street parking during events, and lighting. The applicant and staff responded that a TIS will identify required mitigations, that the applicant will install the separated pathway and frontage improvements, and that the fire department will review access and suppression measures at site plan stage.

After deliberation the commission found the proposal compatible with the CCS zone’s flexible approach to commercial corridors, but added a two‑story limit to ensure compatibility with surrounding duplexes and neighborhood scale. The motion to approve SUP‑26‑2 with staff conditions and the two‑story limit passed on a roll‑call vote. Staff will prepare a written reasoned decision and the project will proceed to site plan and permit review where the TIS and fire requirements will be finalized.