Zoning board approves conversion of 318 East Poplar to three apartments

The City of York Zoning Board voted unanimously to approve variances and a special exception allowing 318 East Poplar Avenue to be converted from mixed use into a three-unit multifamily dwelling. The board approved a definitional variance, a dimensional variance to permit conversion to three units, a parking variance, and a special exception to allow multifamily use.

Applicant Wenceslao Garcia told the board one apartment already exists on the third floor and he planned to create one apartment on each floor, for a total of three units. "The idea is ... to put two more apartments," Garcia said, adding utilities were already separated by floor and only minimal work would be required. Garcia said he had considered four units but was advised by city staff that four units would require a sprinkler system, so he reduced the plan to three units to avoid that requirement.

Board members and staff discussed parking. Garcia said the property currently accommodates two spaces in the rear and has a side yard where he believed three or four additional cars could be parked, but he was not certain the city would count those spaces. Staff and board review indicated the site can likely fit up to four on-site spaces; zoning requires 1.5 spaces per unit for this use, which is rounded to five spaces for a three-unit building under the zoning calculation, creating the need for a parking variance.

The clerk announced the motions were moved by Adam Nugent and seconded by Franklin Williams. The board called the roll and recorded unanimous approval on all four items. The solicitor read the case as Case No. 5-2026-Z-B/SE; applicants were listed as Wink Salo and Ingrid Garcia and the application listed the owner as "Central House Central Housing Lehi" in the materials provided (the transcript shows that owner name as presented in the packet). The record included a 12/03/2025 letter from zoning officer Monte McMillian, photos and floor plans submitted with the application, and Planning Commission minutes that were unclear on the definitional variance but appeared to recommend approval of the other variances and special exception.

The board closed public testimony and encouraged the applicant to proceed; members offered the applicant well-wishes as the meeting moved on to other business.