Commission backs conditional B5 rezoning to convert vacant Dunmore building into 15 senior apartments

The Planning Commission on Jan. 15 recommended that the City Council approve a conditional B5 rezoning for 912 West Beverly Street, the historic Dunmore Business College building, to enable adaptive reuse into 15 low-income senior apartments.

Planning manager Mr. Hart told the commission the building occupies roughly 16,500 square feet of lot area and 14,735 square feet of building space. Under current R4 zoning the lot would allow up to seven multifamily units based on lot size, which staff said has hindered redevelopment. The applicant proposed conditional B5 zoning with proffers that would remove broad commercial uses and limit the site to residential uses consistent with R4 density intents while enabling zero-setback parking structures and other B5 allowances the developer needs for a viable reuse.

Carter Green, representing the applicant, described plans for an adaptive reuse that would create 15 senior apartments, a resident community room, rear parking accessed off Anderson Street, a new accessible walkway, use of low-income housing credits and historic tax credits, and participation in a green building program.

Commissioners and staff focused extensively on parking. For senior housing the code requires one space per two units (eight spaces required); commissioners clarified that non-adjacent on-street parking cannot be counted because adjacent streets do not border the property. The project proposes a rear parking deck with tight site constraints; staff said the developer has an easement for access to the rear lot and any new on-site parking must be designed so vehicles do not back into Anderson Street.

Several neighbors spoke during the public hearing, including Rebecca Jones (908 Anderson), who said Anderson Street is narrow, already crowded, and that residents have difficulty receiving mail and hosting visitors because of parking constraints. Another resident at 920 Anderson expressed similar concerns about the close proximity of a parking deck.

Commissioners acknowledged the parking and access concerns but noted the Dunmore building has been vacant for roughly 40 years and that adaptive reuse for low-income senior housing is a lower-impact outcome than many business uses that B5 could allow. Commissioners discussed long-term options (signing Anderson as one-way, repaving to formalize parallel parking) and emphasized that any exterior changes must obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission and meet building-code and site-plan requirements.

A motion to recommend approval of the conditional B5 rezoning with the applicant's proffers carried on a roll call. The rezoning will be considered by the City Council on Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the same room.