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Planning board approves conditional use permit to allow ground-floor residential for Families in Transition project
Summary
The board granted a conditional use permit to Families in Transition to allow reduced ground‑floor transparency and convert underutilized commercial space to four affordable units, supporting the group's Community Development Block Grant application.
The Planning Board voted March 16 to grant a conditional use permit that will allow Families in Transition to proceed with interior conversions to add affordable residential units at a property in Centennial Square.
Staff told the board the project has been under development since 2024 with planning funds from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) feasibility study and a November city council appropriation of $500,000 to support an application to the Community Development Finance Authority. Planning staff reviewed the conditional use permit application and recommended approval, noting the work involves only interior changes and therefore no site-plan review is required.
Erica Diamond and Tyler Huff, representing Families in Transition, joined staff at the table and answered board questions. No public opposition was raised during the hearing. Chair Whitman moved and the board approved the permit; staff noted granting the permit will allow the applicant to proceed rapidly to permitting if the CDBG funding is awarded.
The board recorded findings of fact consistent with the packet and the oral testimony and noted staff’s appreciation for the applicant’s work on homelessness transition efforts.
Next steps: If awarded Community Development Finance Authority funds, Families in Transition will proceed to building permits and internal renovation under the approved conditional use permit.
