Planning commission recommends downtown final plat FPL-90 to council, including new right-of-way and land swap

The New Albany Planning Commission voted Dec. 16 to recommend final plat FPL-90 to City Council, a plat that dedicates right-of-way for 2nd Street, 3rd Street and a new Street A, formalizes Hawthorne Alley, and includes a land swap with a parcel to the north owned by the Amir Trust.

Staff told the commission the final plat was designed by the city engineer to implement the Engage New Albany strategic plan and to create a more walkable street grid in the village center. The highlighted plat shows red areas for right-of-way dedication and a blue parcel that would be exchanged to permit construction of Street A. Staff said the Amir Trust (property owner Kareem Amir) has agreed to dedicate the right-of-way at no charge while the city will install public infrastructure within the new right-of-way.

Planning staff also described the intended uses for the site: first-floor retail with second-floor apartments, townhomes in the interior, and the potential for structured/underground parking to minimize surface lots. Commissioners asked about how the new grid connects to Market Street and surrounding blocks; staff explained the configuration and said subsequent design review for building elevations will go to the city’s architecture review board.

A motion to recommend approval of application FPL-90-2024 to City Council was made and seconded; the commission voted unanimously to recommend the plat. Commissioners said the dedication and street connections should help create walkable blocks and better support appropriately scaled development in the village center.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s recommendation and the final plat to City Council for review and action.