Planning Commission backs Flax/Lake PUD rezoning; application moves to council Sept. 28

The Planning Commission voted Sept. 2 to recommend approval of a zoning map amendment (RPUD26‑7) to rezone roughly 1.75 acres on the west side of the Lake/Flax intersection to a residential planned unit development. Staff said the conceptual plan would allow up to 38 dwelling units per acre (a maximum of 66 units) and recommended conditions to bring sidewalks, street trees and other elements up to code and to require right‑of‑way dedication and design/construction contributions to planned intersection work.

Barbara Jordan, representing the applicant, said the project is intended as an extension of the nearby Mill on Flax development. Staff told the commission a peak‑hour trip generation analysis determined the project is below the threshold requiring a full traffic‑impact study, though engineering requested typical frontage and right‑of‑way improvements and potential contributions to the city's Lake Street/East Central Avenue reconfiguration trust fund. The commission moved, seconded and voted unanimously to recommend approval; the item will go to city council for a public hearing on Sept. 28.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing urged careful attention to traffic, parking and stormwater; one nearby property owner described chronic flooding tied to an aging storm sewer and asked how utilities would be addressed. Staff and engineering said utilities are an existing network and that detailed utility, stormwater and final traffic solutions will be developed at the later development‑plan stage when engineering drawings are submitted.