Planning commission approves Westridge mixed‑use redevelopment and multiple zoning modifications

The Planning Commission approved a substantial combined preliminary plat and final site plan for the Westridge redevelopment (PC25‑403/PC25‑404), a major infill project that will demolish a portion of the existing shopping center and create a new Lot 5 for 119 multifamily residential units while retaining mixed‑use commercial Lots 1–4.

Staff presented a suite of five requested modifications typical of infill redevelopment: reduced local road right‑of‑way and lane widths (42 ft rather than 55 ft); reduced bicycle parking (72 required to 30 proposed, staff argued added walkability and transit nearby compensates); reduced parking area setbacks; and reduced landscape buffer widths along certain property lines with compensating additional landscaping elsewhere. The applicant proposed 20% private parkland plus a fee‑in‑lieu for the remaining requirement, and staff confirmed the project complied with forest conservation and other technical requirements. Staff recommended approval of seven separate actions, including the combined preliminary plat/final site plan and the preliminary forest conservation plan, subject to listed conditions.

Applicant Daniel Rigaud and the project team said the plan advances the Golden Mile small area plan by improving connectivity, adding oversized sidewalks and a new north‑south connector (Riverstone), and increasing tree planting. Commissioners and staff discussed fee‑in‑lieu credits for street trees and school mitigation options; staff said school capacity failed at elementary and high levels but remained below thresholds requiring mitigation alternatives.

The commission approved each requested modification and the combined plat/site plan by unanimous vote and added a non‑binding condition asking the applicant and city to consider a street‑name change (Ridgestone to Hillcrest) during implementation.