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Council approves Cola Welch townhomes rezoning with staff‑recommended variances
Summary
Council approved rezoning roughly 7.36 acres at Cola Welch Parkway and Cedar Road to an RTD (townhome) district with staff‑recommended variances and a planning commission suggestion to cap rentals at 10%. Applicant and staff said the project would provide a transitional, lower‑height townhome product and public amenities.
The council approved a rezoning request (Case 260203) for the Cola Welch and Cedar townhomes after a staff presentation, an applicant presentation and a short question period. The developer, represented by attorney Steven Jones, described a semi‑detached townhome development of 44 units, internal public streets with sidewalks, open space and a community garden; staff and the planning commission recommended approval with conditions and variances tied to landscaping, garage size and setbacks.
Steven Jones, for Olympic Realty, emphasized the project is intended as a transition between nearby multifamily and single‑family neighborhoods and asked the council to adopt staff and planning commission recommendations. “We would ask that you follow consistently with the staff report, staff recommendation, the planning commission recommendation, and vote to approve this with the variance,” Jones said.
Council members asked about tree canopy, garage dimensions and architectural consistency; staff explained recommended variances (reduced canopy allowance tied to a landscaping plan; a modified minimum garage dimension of 20 by 24 feet; elimination of a secondary garage door; and modest setback reductions that preserve an undisturbed buffer). The planning commission had recommended adding a condition to limit rentals to no more than 10% of the development, which staff noted.
Council called the question and the motion to approve the rezoning with the staff‑supported variances passed (council recorded the vote as 4 in favor, 3 opposed). The ordinance and conditions will be formalized in the drafting of the rezoning ordinance returned to council.
