Neighbors press planners to delay Stratford Square rezoning; commission grants continuance to June 8

The Planning Commission continued consideration of a rezoning request for Stratford Square (REZ2026‑004) after more than an hour of public comment and commissioner discussion. The applicant is seeking RP‑3 zoning to allow 30 rental townhome units on just over 2.02 acres at 71st Street and Metcalf Avenue; staff recommended approval subject to stipulations A–W and described requested deviations and a traffic study predicting about 199 daily vehicle trips.

Residents and neighborhood groups spoke in force, citing concerns about traffic and safety at the busy 71st & Metcalf intersection (including proximity to Queen of the Holy Rosary school), stormwater/runoff into low‑lying backyards, removal of mature trees, the long continuous facade on Metcalf, parking overflow into adjacent streets, and property‑value impacts. Michael Hambright, whose house faces the site, said neighborhood traffic has grown and questioned additional vehicle movements: "traffic density in this area has risen substantially," he said.

Applicant Scott Koenigsdorff said the project was modeled on a previous local townhome development and provided expected rents and unit sizes. "Rental rate will be around $2 per square foot... so it'll be about, dollars 2,450 a month," he told commissioners. In response to the public and commissioner feedback, the applicant offered to work with staff on a six‑foot privacy fence on the east and north sides and said he would consider removing one unit to add green space.

Commissioners were split: some cited Framework OP guidance supporting traditional‑neighborhood multifamily in that location, while others objected to the requested density, lack of on‑site green space and the long Metcalf elevation. Commissioner Masalonis moved to continue the application to the June 8 meeting so the applicant could return with revisions; that motion passed 11–0.