Commission approves demolition and four‑building apartment plan at 1954 West Jefferson with landscaping and material conditions
Summary
After reviewing site photos and plans, the commission approved demolition of a deteriorated house at 1954 West Jefferson and replacement with four apartment buildings, subject to landscaping, materials and color conditions and routine permit review.
The Brownsville preservation commission on May 16 approved demolition of a distressed single‑family ranch and the construction of a four‑building apartment development at 1954 West Jefferson, attaching standard conditions on landscaping, exterior materials and color.
Staff reported the existing ranch‑style structure is in poor condition, dated to mid‑20th century and classified as low priority for historic preservation. The property contains an abandoned filled‑in pool and several modest trees but no large‑caliper specimen that staff said must be preserved. Applicants presented a site plan showing two building types (one with attached garages and one without) and floor plans for two‑story apartment buildings; parking and landscaping met code requirements on the submitted plan, subject to final plan‑review adjustments.
Decision and conditions: commissioners voted to approve the demolition and new construction with the staff‑recommended conditions, including conforming to the city’s landscaping requirement (10% green space and tree‑planting per frontage), colors and materials that avoid garish signage and lighting controls to reduce freeway‑facing glare.
Implementation: staff told the applicant to proceed with permit submittal and to coordinate landscaping details with the city forester. The commission noted that demolition and permits are separate steps and that building permits must comply with the conditions attached to the approval.
