Staff backs temporary two‑space parking variance for phased museum; public hearing next week

Planning staff recommended support for a parking‑variance request that would reduce the off‑street parking requirement from four spaces to two for a property the applicant says will be used initially for administrative museum functions, staff said Oct. 8.

Chris (staff member) told the commission the parcel in question is one of three lots previously rezoned and that the middle lot recently transferred to the museum group contains a single structure that would house administrative operations rather than public exhibits in the first phase. Because the property will be phased, staff said two off‑street parking spaces are adequate for the initial administrative use; staff will revisit parking when the exhibit space and additional parcels are activated and will require zoning compliance at that time.

Toby Sullivan, the applicant, told the commission he had no immediate attendance estimates: “I think Chris summarized the the the project pretty well. I don't really have anything to add, but I'm available for questions.” The commission asked about future parking needs; Sullivan said they had not determined visitor capacity and would proceed step by step.

Staff noted a minor typographical error in the staff report subject line (the required/ requested parking numbers) and said it would be corrected before next week. The commission did not vote on the variance at the work session; the case (No. 25‑008) was listed as the only public hearing on the agenda for next week and will be heard at the regular meeting.