Commission recommends rezoning of 274 East 1st Avenue to Urban Center district

The Italian Village Commission on April 14 recommended rezoning a 7-acre site at 274 East 1st Avenue to an Urban Center District, clearing the way for a developer’s proposed 419-unit, five-building apartment complex.

Eric Zartman, a land use attorney with Underhill and Hodge representing the applicant, said the request uses the city’s opt-in rezoning pathway and seeks only a zoning change, not variances. “The question for the commission tonight is whether the urban center district under Title 34 is appropriate,” Zartman said, explaining that design review will continue separately.

Staff had urged the commission to approve the rezoning. Sophie Vogel, speaking for city staff, summarized the application and recommended approval, citing city code section 31.16.12 and noting no variances were required.

Commissioners asked questions about design follow-up and emphasized that the rezoning aligns with the city’s phase-1 rezoning and the opt-in pathway adopted by City Council in June 2025. After discussion, the chair moved to recommend rezoning COA2600228; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The applicant told the commission it intends to take the rezoning to the Development Commission (anticipated in June) and then to City Council in July. Commissioners and the applicant agreed design elements will return to the commission through the normal Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process.

What’s next: The commission’s recommendation will accompany the rezoning application as it proceeds to the Development Commission and City Council; separate design and COA reviews remain pending.