Developer plans to repurpose eastside motel into apartments

💭 Editors note: Planning Commission meetings aren’t exactly thrilling, but they’re the first public platforms where we can grasp proposed plans and participate before they reach the City Council. My aim is to craft a concise and informative report that provides a clear overview of the meeting’s key details, including the participants and links to source materials.

From Nov. 5, 2024, Stillwater Planning Commission Meeting

📍 Map Amendment & Planned Unit Development

MA24-12 & PUD24-01 — Wargo, LLC requested to change the zoning of the property located at 1324 East 6th Ave. so it can be converted from a motel to a multi-family-use with on-site laundry, maintenance living space and an office building. The property is currently zoned Commercial General (CG).

Public Hearing
City staff informed Planning Commissioners that the Comprehensive Plan calls for commercial use of the area, and Commercial Shopping zoning allows for Mixed Use where CG does not. Nearby neighbors were also invited to a publicized meeting in late October to discuss the development and proposed changes. Staff reported six people attended.

Representing the applicant, Stephen Gose with Gose & Associates told Planning Commissioners that the existing setbacks—the distance from the road—do not meet current code requirements. A Planned Unit Development will act as a special-use permit to allow for an exception.

• No residents spoke in favor or against the MA or PUD.

Actions
Both were approved 4-0. Planning Commissioners Williams and Prather commented they favor the proposed plan to repurpose and remodel the property.

Links
timestamped video link to agenda items

🏠 Short-term rental application

STR-0181 — for 142 South Redwood Drive requested by David and Stacy Cole.

Public Hearing
David Cole informed the Planning Commissioners that Vacasa would handle the bookings for the short-term rental. A trusted individual would be responsible for maintenance, and local cleaning services would be contracted. Additionally, Cole noted that the property has previously been used as a student rental and believes it would benefit from being managed as a short-term rental.

• No residents spoke in favor or against the STR application.

Actions
Approved 4-0. Commissioner Williams motioned to approve the application, stipulating that the owners abide by the Westwood Overlay District policies. Commissioner Prather seconded the motion. The item is being recommended to the City Council.

Additional Context
The City Council and the Planning Commission recently had a joint meeting to discuss short-term rentals and their impact on neighborhoods, available inventory for visitors and economic impact via the visitor tax.

Links
timestamped video link to agenda item

💭 Every agenda item doesn’t necessarily require a comprehensive recap, but I believe it’s crucial to include these routine aspects of the meeting. This serves as an effective means to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of our public institutions.

📄 Other Agenda items

The Planning Commission approved minutes from the June 25, Aug. 6th and Oct. 1, 2024 meetings.

In attendance: Chair Jana Phillips, Vice-Chair Riley Williams, Commissioner Mark Prather, and Commissioner David Peters.

Next scheduled meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024

Agenda Packet - stillwaterok.gov

💭 Wherever possible, meeting recordings will be embedded and linked. Timestamped links directly jump to that specific part of the meeting, saving the reader time and increasing the likelihood that they will watch the entire meeting.