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Developers and staff say mall site could support thousands of units; task force urges clarity on achievable density
Summary
A mall‑ownership representative showed a conceptual 1.25 FAR redevelopment scenario and staff cited development potential of about 7.3 million square feet and roughly 5,400 multifamily units in the inner TOD area; commissioners questioned feasibility of that many units if much of the site is developed as townhouses and asked for clearer minimum-density expectations in the inner ring.
Task‑force discussion turned to the mall subunit after staff presented a notional development framework tied to the station shift. A representative for the mall ownership said the conceptual exercise showed a 1.25 FAR scenario that included high‑rise multifamily near the TOD core and lower forms farther out, and that the depiction was meant "to show it could be done," not as a final proposal.
A staff speaker cited approximate development potential figures during the exchange: "we've got, I think it's like 7,300,000 square feet of either non res or total potential and then 5,400 units in," framing those numbers as subunit‑wide potential under an intensive redevelopment scenario. Several commissioners cautioned that the total unit count depends heavily on housing form: if large portions of the site were developed with townhouses rather than multifamily, the effective unit total would be much lower. Commissioners asked staff to clarify minimum density expectations for the inner 0.25‑mile TOD area and to consider a master‑plan or capacity test to show how high‑density outcomes might be achievable in practice.
Brian (representing some mall owners) said the concept considered keeping some anchors in place and showed that a mix of high‑rise near the core and lower buildings farther out could reach a 1.25 FAR while still allowing flexibility for owners. Staff and the mall representative agreed the concept is an exercise to demonstrate feasibility and not a commitment to a specific proposal.
