Zoning Commission sets down Skyland PUD change to for‑sale condos after Office of Planning review

The Zoning Commission voted 3–0–2 to set down for public hearing zoning commission case number 09‑03I, Skyland Holdings LLC first-stage PUD modification at Square 5633 Lot 22.

Office of Planning representative Maxine Brown Roberts said the Skyland Town Center project has evolved over several years and the current modification proposes replacing a previously approved 75‑unit all‑affordable senior apartment building with a 75‑unit for‑sale condominium building at 80% of median family income (MFI). OP explained the applicant requested the change after the team could not secure district funding, low‑income housing tax credit allocation or private financing for the senior affordable building.

OP said the modification is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan or the Far Northeast and Southeast area policies and that the condominium proposal would add homeownership choices to the area. Commissioners asked the applicant to provide additional materials for the hearing, including building design details, material and color samples, elevations for a proposed enclosed long‑term bicycle parking structure, revised Green Area Ratio (GAR) calculations for Blocks 1 and 4, and emergency vehicle access plans.

Commissioners praised the applicant’s history of community engagement at Skyland but asked that the applicant bring outreach documentation and responses from the ANC to the hearing. Vice Chair Miller and other commissioners said they supported setting the item down and noted the proposal’s 10% affordable set‑aside for for‑sale units.

The commission’s vote to set down the modification was 3–0–2; two commissioners were not present and did not vote. The commission directed staff and the applicant to address the items OP listed in its report before the contested public hearing.