Board approves 4‑story, 10‑unit infill project at 1714 Van Buren Street

The Planning and Development Board voted Feb. 10 to approve the design and site plan for a 10‑unit, 4‑story multifamily infill project at 1714 Van Buren Street.

Planner Omar Javed described file 24DP84 as a by‑right application in the FH1 zoning district proposing 10 residential units (five one‑bedroom and five two‑bedroom), approximately 14,308 square feet of building area, 16 parking spaces and landscaping and screening measures. The staff report found the project consistent with zoning and comprehensive‑plan policies and recommended approval of design and site plan.

The applicant's architect, Luis La Rosa, told the board the team had worked with staff to address streetscape and landscape concerns and that the project would demolish the existing single‑family structure on the lot and replace it with a residential building designed to meet code standards.

Board members asked whether interior fixtures (low‑flow plumbing, for example) could be mandated. Staff and counsel said such details are governed by state building code and existing green‑building menus and that the board's purview at the hearing was design, site‑plan and variance criteria; the project did not request variances.

A motion to approve the design carried, followed by approval of the site plan; the chair announced both motions carried and the project was approved to proceed with building‑permit review under the conditions recorded in the staff packet.

The applicant accepted staff conditions and will coordinate final technical reviews with city disciplines during permitting.