Planning commission forwards rezoning for mixed-use and multifamily near Highway 380 to City Council

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request that would reclassify about 10 acres near U.S. Highway 380 and University Drive to a planned development allowing MF-36 multifamily, R-5 single-family, and mixed-use commercial uses. Staff described the property as two tracks: Track 1 (mixed-use MF-36 at the frontage) and Track 2 (multifamily MF-36), with the northern tract to be conveyed for R-5 residential use by the applicant.

Planner Aruse Sali said staff recommended approval and described several requested design exceptions (landscape buffer reductions, alternative screening, canopy/parking ratios and other site enhancements). Sali noted parts of the site are in floodplain and that some buffers are proposed to be reduced to accommodate required fire lanes and driveway routing.

Developer Glenn Lynch presented project details, describing the development as roughly 222 units targeted to older adults and including 7,853 square feet of commercial space. Lynch provided AMI bands for units and said rents would be inclusive of utilities (with a separate utility allowance). "It's 55 and higher," Lynch said when asked about the proposed age restriction, and he added the age minimum could change to 62 if HUD financing were pursued instead of the bond/tax-credit approach.

A nearby resident, Elvin Turner, spoke during public comment and raised concerns about building height, additional traffic on local streets, and privacy impacts from units/patios overlooking existing backyards. Commissioners asked staff to revisit traffic-pattern questions and noted that formal traffic studies would be performed if engineering requested them.

After discussion, Commissioner Watley moved to approve item 26-0011-Z; Commissioner Lebo seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0. Staff said the item will go before City Council for final action on 2026-05-19.