Plan commission approves site and facade updates for Kolders Furniture (Ashley HomeStore) with conditions

The Plan Commission approved site and architectural plans for the existing Kolders Furniture store at 9725 South 13th Street, which will add an Ashley HomeStore tenant portion and exterior façade improvements, subject to several conditions required by staff.

Staff identified required changes before permits: re‑stripe the parking lot to clearly delineate required stalls and a pedestrian walkway; provide foundation landscaping that meets code (including a minimum width of 7 feet along portions of the building facade) and add the required total of eight replacement trees; revise the lighting plan so outdoor fixtures are full cut‑off and light trespass does not exceed 0.5 foot‑candle at the property line; screen loading docks or add compensatory landscaping in the parking areas; submit revised plans digitally; and add a gray stripe along large white elevations for architectural articulation. Christie told the commission she had asked for the gray stripe and additional landscaping to address blank wall expanses and missing trees that had been removed without replacement.

Applicant Sam Winterfeldt (Keller Inc.) and Bill Fante (company CEO) asked the commission for some flexibility, citing cost increases and late redlines provided to the applicant. Winterfeldt said the project team had made substantial concessions and requested consideration of specific, limited changes; Fante emphasized the investment of roughly $4.3–$4.4 million into the project and the project's importance to employees. Commissioners generally supported staff conditions but accepted a narrowed parking‑striping condition (to ensure the code‑required number of stalls are clearly delineated rather than requiring a full lot repave). The motion to approve the project with the listed conditions passed on roll call.