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Council modifies Vatan mixed‑use plan after extended debate over sidewalks and heritage live oaks
Summary
A requested modification to the Vatan mixed‑use development triggered a lengthy council debate about protecting four heritage live oaks versus installing a required sidewalk. Council approved a modification with staff recommendations, including exploring a narrowed sidewalk/bike‑lane alternative and coordination with public works.
The council reviewed a modification to the previously approved Vatan mixed‑use project (SR2305) at Magnolia Avenue and North Church Street, where four trees identified as heritage live oaks stand in the right‑of‑way and conflict with the zoning requirement for a six‑foot sidewalk.
Planning staff explained site constraints and presented three options: (1) install the full sidewalk as originally approved, (2) install a narrowed ADA‑compliant path that would require moving the curb and reducing pavement width, or (3) remove the sidewalk requirement and provide alternative pedestrian accommodations (for example, a striped four‑foot bike lane and coordination to cross to the existing sidewalk on the west side of Church Street).
Developer David Ryan and an independent arborist (hired by the applicant) said heavy paving or pavers would significantly damage root systems; Ryan summarized the arborist’s findings as warning of a “very significant likelihood of damage to the trees.” Council members disagreed on the appropriate tradeoff: several favored preserving the mature oaks and accepting a modified pedestrian treatment, while others warned that relaxing sidewalk requirements in the central business district would create an undesirable precedent.
After prolonged questioning and alternatives analysis — including whether the city could “bump” the curb two feet to gain space for a three‑foot sidewalk segment, or instead stripe a bike lane and improve pedestrian crossings to the existing sidewalk — the council voted to approve the site‑plan modification with staff recommendations that preserve the trees where feasible and pursue a narrowed sidewalk or bike‑lane alternative. The motion passed by voice vote.
What’s next: The applicant will coordinate final design and utility adjustments with public works and planning staff; because the subdivision approval was conditioned by the planning commission, the parties noted the site/subdivision paperwork may need additional review to reconcile the council’s direction with planning commission conditions.
