Commission deems North Samuel Street mixed-use sketch plan complete, flags alley and traffic concerns

The commission deemed the North Samuel Street sketch plan complete for public hearing but raised multiple site-access concerns. Staff described a proposal to demolish an oversized existing pharmacy and replace it with a smaller pharmacy (with drive-through) and an adjacent mixed-use two-story building with commercial space below and residential units above. The applicant was not present.

Staff noted that residential units above the commercial space would trigger an in-lieu open-space fee of $500 per unit and flagged a need for additional landscaping and screening where the site abuts two residential homes. Commissioners expressed concern about the proposal’s reliance on a narrow, poorly maintained alley for drive-through access, deliveries and trash collection, telling staff that alley improvements or alternate access should be required if traffic will increase. One commissioner suggested conditioning future approval on alley improvements or payment to upgrade the alley since increased trips could aggravate neighborhood impacts.

Staff indicated the sketch plan meets submission requirements for completeness; the commission voted to deem the application complete. Commissioners said they expect more detailed traffic, alley improvement proposals and clarification of trash truck maneuvering at later review stages.