Council rezones 1285 E. Villa Vista to allow 23-unit affordable condominium with parking conditions

Planning staff presented a proposed rezone (Ordinance 26-35) and development agreement for 1285 East Villa Vista Avenue to allow a 23-unit owner-occupied affordable condominium project on 0.32 acres. Planner Carlos Estudillo said the project qualifies under state affordable-housing criteria, proposed a building height of 64 feet and approximately 29 parking stalls overall, and sought a guest-parking reduction from six stalls to four, to be supplemented by on-street stalls created through frontage improvements on adjacent property at 1291 East Villa Vista.

Estudillo explained the applicant would be required to improve and bond frontage work (curb, gutter, sidewalk, and parking stall construction) and dedicate the improved area as public right-of-way. Applicant Russ Sorenson said negotiations with the adjacent property owner had been challenging and the exact number of additional on-street stalls could range from two to three depending on driveway configurations. Mayor Jackson and Council members discussed the balance between ensuring adequate guest parking and preserving housing affordability; the Council adopted Ordinance 26-35 subject to a development agreement to be approved by the city attorney.