History
On February 11, 2021 the Local Planning Agency conditionally approved a major amendment to the Central Parkway Lofts project. Approval conditions included reducing density from 29.47 dwelling units per acre to 24, provided parking at 1.6 spaces per unit and crosswalks with mature landscaping provided at S.E. Central Parkway's median.
Summary
This this application proposes amendment to the Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) originally adopted May 16, 2005. The proposed amendment allows for the construction of 196 multifamily units on 6.65 acres. The property is bounded to the east by commercial office/warehouse flex space and on the west by right-of-way owned by Martin County for a future Willoughby Blvd. extension.
The proposed project consists of five (5) 4-story apartment buildings formed around a two-way central street with parallel parking, continuous green-space on each side lined with native trees and sidewalks. Additionally, the street is designed as an “at grade section”, where street and sidewalk have no vertical separation. The pervious paver surface at grade with the green strip and sidewalk will create a seamless environment that prioritizes pedestrians while further establishing an urban storm water treatment-like facility.
Access to the property from Central Parkway will include right-in right-out curb cuts for both the north and the south buildings. The City's traffic consultant has confirmed that the existing road configuration satisfies additional trips with no new turning lanes being proposed.
The developer has agreed to reserve 20 two bedroom units (10% of the total units rounded up) at the lower 80% of the Area Median Income ("AMI") for a 10 year period.as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The applicant is asking for the following 4 variance exceptions to the City's code which allows for flexibility that may be offset by providing amenities that give value to the project and the community. The applicant will expound at tonight's meeting. The exceptions are as follows:
1. 2.07.00.D3 Density, The code allow up to 15 dwelling units per acre by right and up to 30 DU with City Commission approval. The applicant is proposing 29.47 DU/acre.
2. 2.07.03.d.4.b Requires Open Space > 30%. The applicant is proposing 27% Open Space including buffers and retention areas.
3. 6.01.09 Parking Code: The requires 1.6 parking spaces for one bedroom apartments and 2 parking spaces for two bedrooms. The applicant is proposing 1.5 spaces for both the one and two-bedroom units a reduction of 47 parking stalls overall.
4. 5.02.A4 For sites with no native vegetation, the landscaping requirements of this Code shall be met with native vegetation, however side and rear landscape strip shall be 25 feet in depth and planted with native vegetation. The applicant is proposing 15 feet of native preserve plantings along the eastern property line between commercial use and the multifamily project.
See Attachment - B.2 Staff review - Residential PUD