Planning commission rejects 21‑unit West 3rd Street special use permit, 6–1

Taylor’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–1 on March 10 to disapprove a request for a special use permit (SUP) that would have allowed a 21‑unit apartment building at 1019 and 1021 West 3rd Street.

Staff told the commission the conceptual submittal showed 37 parking spaces, 27 of which would be in the public right‑of‑way, requiring vehicles to back into the street. Staff identified conflicts with the Land Development Code’s parking and alley‑access standards and said the building elevations did not clearly demonstrate the P5 Urban Center ground‑floor glazing requirement (70% glazing on street‑facing ground floors). "Staff's recommendation is to revise the layout so vehicles can maneuver on‑site and exit in a forward motion," Joe, the staff presenter, told commissioners.

Neighbors at the public hearing expressed concerns about parking, traffic and neighborhood character. David Williams, who said his family has owned property across from the site since 1949, said he opposed the 21‑unit proposal. "I'm speaking against this apartment complex at this location, especially a 21 unit apartment," Williams said. He argued the number of vehicles could overwhelm on‑street parking and change the neighborhood’s character.

The applicant’s representative, Sunshine Kappas of Sunrise Development Group, described the materials as conceptual massing sketches and said detailed engineering—sidewalks, alley improvements and site development standards—would be addressed at later phases. "All of that parking and the sidewalks and everything will be done towards engineering standards that will be coming with the preliminary plat based on the next step," Kappas said.

Commissioners debated whether the commission was being asked to recommend on land use only or to require design changes up front. Several commissioners said they were concerned about the intensity of the design next to single‑family homes and the on‑street parking configuration. A motion to disapprove the SUP carried 6–1.

Under city procedure, the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council; staff and applicants indicated further design and engineering reviews (including traffic impact and utility scoping) would occur if the proposal proceeds again.