Commission approves conditional use permit and variances for Robin Court redevelopment with conditions

The Woodstock Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a revised conditional use permit and two concurrent variances for properties at 706 Robin Court (and related parcels) after staff and the applicant amended the design to reduce intensity and address neighborhood concerns.

Staff presentation and conditions: Planning staff explained the updated plan reduces units from five to four, retains a one‑house‑per‑lot frontage for the interior neighborhood character and proposes streetscape improvements along Brownlee Road while allowing the applicant to defer sidewalk construction along Robin Court by dedicating right‑of‑way for future installation. Staff listed seven conditions, including requiring a small‑area plan for the edge parcels, a two‑story height limit, roadway repair prior to certificate of occupancy, architectural consistency with Cardinal Woods and dedication of right‑of‑way with a 7‑foot landscape strip and 5‑foot future sidewalk alignment.

Neighbors and applicant response: Residents raised traffic and sight‑line concerns on Rote Mill and Brownlee Road and expressed strong feelings about keeping a back gate closed in Cardinal Woods. Several neighbors later said the revised plan and removal of the gate alleviated many worries. Applicant representative Parks Huff described how the design shifts a house location to better match existing front setbacks and preserves green space; he said the right‑of‑way dedication lets the city decide on future sidewalk placement without forcing immediate tree removal.

Commission action: Commissioner Alonka moved to approve the CUP and variances with staff recommendations and a friendly amendment to reword condition 5 (limited to front setback language while letting side setbacks be determined by the zoning standards). After discussion about the small‑area plan condition and neighborhood character concerns, the motion carried; staff noted the case will go to City Council for final action.

Key clarifications: Staff confirmed the small‑area plan required by condition 1 must be completed and delivered to staff by the time of certificate of occupancy for any new dwelling units. Staff also confirmed that right‑of‑way will be dedicated but sidewalk installation is not required at this time, and that the two‑story limit will be measured from grade (street frontage).

Next step: The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for the final decision; the staff conditions and the altered condition 5 are part of the record.

Representative quote: "We think we've done a good job of working with the feedback we got from the community, feedback we got from the staff, and now we stand before you with a recommendation for approval," applicant representative Parks Huff said.