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Developers seek variance to increase one‑bedroom units; council requests market data, places request on second reading
Summary
Developer OneGuard/Vanguard requested a variance from code section 1183.04(e) to allow a unit mix with roughly 60% one‑bedrooms (and 23% studios) in a Commerce Park building; council members said they want supporting market studies and vacancy/unit‑mix data from the city before a final vote and moved the item to second reading in September.
Land‑use counsel Catherine Weber and developer James Heller appeared before the Beachwood City Council on Aug. 4 seeking a variance from code section 1183.04(e), which the applicants said ordinarily limits studios and one‑bedroom units to a 50/50 split. Weber said the applicant (Beachwood Office LLC, represented by Vanguard Properties/OneGuard) requests a unit mix for the proposed Commerce Park building that would increase the proportion of studios and one‑bedrooms to about 83% of units (approximately 23% studios, 60% one‑bedrooms, 15% two‑bedrooms), citing market research and demand from nearby employers.
Heller described planned amenities — walking paths, dog park, electric vehicle charging and a pool — and said market studies and employer recruiting needs (for Eaton and nearby medical facilities) support more one‑bedroom units geared to young professionals.
Council members questioned whether the proposed unit sizes and the neighborhood’s walkability make the projected unit mix appropriate, and several asked to see the developers’ underlying data. Council members suggested the administration or the developer provide market‑analysis data, city vacancy and unit‑mix statistics, and absorption rates before a final vote.
Council President moved, and the council voted, to place the variance request on second reading and to return with additional data in September. No variance was adopted at the Aug. 4 meeting; council directed staff and the developer to collect and share the requested market information and to schedule a committee meeting prior to the September council session.
