Shops of Lebanon asks Planning Commission for one-year extension on expired site plan

Shops of Lebanon LLC asked the Planning Commission for an extension of a previously approved site plan for a commercial project on Aviation Way (the Andres property). The site plan had previously received an 84-day administrative extension from staff that expires Nov. 15; the applicant requested more time but did not specify the length of the extension in its written request.

Staff recommended a one-year extension to allow the applicant time to obtain permits and complete pre-construction work. "We did not specify a requested time frame in their request. Staff recommend a 1 year extension for this plan since they do plan to move forward in the near future," a staff member told the commission.

Sarah, a city staff member, described internal ownership changes among the restaurant tenants as a primary cause of the delay and urged the commission to keep the project viable. Tyler Hoplinger, representing the Shops of Lebanon ownership, said the development team has reengaged civil engineers and architects and is mid-way through a preleasing process. "We are in preleasing process for various concepts. We just need a little bit more time to get the leasing and start construction," Hoplinger said.

No vote or formal action is recorded in the transcript; a commissioner asked whether the applicant was comfortable with a one-year extension and the representative affirmed that was acceptable.

Why it matters: The project involves city infrastructure investment (Aviation Way) and local economic development; an extension preserves the applicant’s opportunity to proceed while the team resolves tenant and leasing decisions.

What's next: Staff recommended a one-year extension; the commission would need to make a formal motion and vote to grant the time requested (no vote recorded in the transcript).