Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission postpones Knuckles Crossing rezoning amid neighbor safety concerns
Summary
The commission postponed consideration of a proposed MF‑3 rezoning for 4302 Knuckles Crossing to June 9 after neighbors and commissioners raised traffic safety and sight‑line issues on the substandard Knuckles Crossing Road; the applicant said it would dedicate right‑of‑way as needed.
The Planning Commission voted to postpone action on a rezoning and plan amendment for 4302–4316 Knuckles Crossing (items 6 & 7) until June 9 to allow additional discussions between the applicant, neighbors and city staff over vehicle access and roadway safety.
Staff described the site as an undeveloped 6.61‑acre parcel with large portions in an erosion hazard/floodplain and recommended MF‑3 with a conditional overlay limiting units to 40. Applicant Stuart Gerstacker described a proposed 40‑unit multifamily project sited on the portion of the property outside the creek buffer.
Neighbors and neighborhood representatives opposed the rezoning primarily because Knuckles Crossing is a narrow, substandard roadway with a sharp blind curve where the proposed driveway would be located. Laurel Fransell and Anya Aguirre told the commission there is little or no shoulder, no continuous sidewalk, and that prior nearby approvals only proceeded after developers provided safer access treatments.
"There's no sight line at all on this road," Laurel Fransell said, asking whether a right‑turn lane and safe driveway design could be ensured before rezoning. Anya Aguirre and the Southeast Combined Neighborhood Plan contact team likewise urged denial or delay until a firm traffic solution is produced.
Transportation staff told commissioners a site development permit will require demonstration of safe sight distances and appropriate driveway geometry; however, the segment of Knuckles Crossing ranks low in the city's ASMP priority matrix so near‑term city funding for a rebuild is unlikely. Staff said standard site‑plan review will assess driveway spacing, sight distance and any triggered transportation studies.
The applicant said the owner would be willing to dedicate right‑of‑way if necessary and that final access design will be resolved during site development plan engineering. Commissioners said a short postponement could allow productive negotiation and asked that the applicant, neighbors and staff meet to seek a feasible mitigation plan. Commissioner Bedrosian moved to postpone to June 9; the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: the case returns June 9 for further consideration. If the applicant cannot demonstrate acceptable access solutions at that time, commissioners may deny or require conditions. If approved later, the project will still need to meet site‑plan engineering standards before building permits are issued.
