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Board approves rezoning to allow 30‑unit Benjamin Townhomes; developer cites $12.9M investment
Summary
Woda Cooper Companies won unanimous approval to pursue D8 multifamily development at the Fort Harrison reuse site for a 30‑unit Benjamin Townhomes project; developers presented a mix of two‑ and three‑bedroom units with rents tied to area‑median income bands and said they will apply for low‑income housing tax credits.
The Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously granted a variance on July 24 enabling Woda Cooper Companies to develop Benjamin Townhomes — a proposed 30‑unit townhome development at a Fort Harrison reuse parcel — by allowing submission of D8 multifamily plans in an area currently designated for light industrial use under the reuse plan.
Greg Mustrick (Woda Cooper) said Benjamin Townhomes will include 15 two‑bedroom and 15 three‑bedroom units, four live/work units, a community building with management and supportive‑service space, and “energy efficient” finishes; he told the board the project will pursue Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits and offered target net rent tiers: two‑bed units roughly $515–$1,400 and three‑bed units roughly $595–$1,645, allocated across affordability bands. “This is going to represent a $12,900,000 investment in the community,” Mustrick said.
Board questions focused on parking, traffic and infrastructure. Developers proposed roughly 51 parking spaces for 30 units (about 1.7 spaces per unit); multiple board members expressed concern that 51 spaces could be insufficient if households exceed the developer’s projected car ownership rates. Staff and developer responses said parking, stormwater, landscaping and architectural standards will be enforced through later plan review; staff also noted the site is near planned Purple Line transit and that the Fort Harrison reuse authority requires architectural review.
Renee Raflow said the proposal fits the city’s plan for mixed‑use infill at the Fort Harrison site, emphasized the need for affordable units in the current housing climate, and recommended approval to allow the developer to apply for tax credits. The board voted unanimously to grant the petition, allowing the developer to move to the plan‑review and tax‑credit application phase.
Next steps: the developer will submit detailed plans addressing parking, stormwater and architectural standards; staff will enforce existing D8 development standards during the plan review.
