18-2022

DATE:        November 17, 2021

TO:            Mayor Ted Wheeler
                  Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty  
                  Commissioner Mingus Mapps
                  Commissioner Carmen Rubio
                  Commissioner Dan Ryan

FROM:      Rebecca Esau, Director
                  Bureau of Development Services

RE:            City Council hearing on LU 21-038539 DZ  (Modera Main)

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a summary and brief description of the land use review that will be presented to you in public hearing on December 1, 2021 at 2:00pm, time certain.

1.   Land Use Reviews Requested: Type III Design Review. 

2.   Key Elements of Proposal:

Applicant:
Francis Dardis, Anrkom Moisan Architects, 38 NW Davis St, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97209

Site Location:       
Full Block bounded by SW MADISON ST, SW MAIN ST, SW 20^th AVE, & SW 19^th AVE

Site Size:               43,556 square feet

Zoning:                 
RM4d –Multidwelling Residential 4 with Design Overlay, Central City Plan District – Goose Hollow Subdistrict

Proposal:              
The applicant requests Design Review approval for a proposed 17-story, approximately 175’-0” tall residential apartment building with 337 residential dwelling units, comprising a mix of studio to 3-bedroom apartments and structured parking, totaling approximately 434,720 square feet of new floor area. Structured parking proposed on the site includes 403 spaces spread across levels B2 (basement 2) to 5, and it includes a tunnel under SW Main St to the MAC parking garage to the north of the site. (Note: this tunnel, which is not subject to Design Review approval, has been evaluated under a separate Major Encroachment Review under case number 20-211803 TR, and approved by City Council through emergency Ordinance No. 190495 on 7/14/2021.) The proposal also includes a large amenity deck for residents on level 6 and another amenity deck on level 17. Together, these two amenity decks include outdoor seating areas, barbeque ranges, fire pits, and a small pool.

As part of the Design Review, the applicant also requests an exception to the Window Projections Into Public Right-of-Way Code Guide standards (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/article/68600) to allow window projections on the north side of the building to be separated by fewer than the required 12 feet. Two pairs of window projections on the north elevation each have separations between windows within each pair of approximately 4’-0”.

3.   Design Commission Decision:  The Design Commission voted to approve the proposal with five conditions by a vote of 4 in favor to 1 opposed at the final continued hearing on September 23, 2021.

4.   Appellant: Scott A. Schaffer, President of the Goose Hollow Foothills League

5.   Alternatives Facing Council

• Deny the appeal, and uphold the Design Commission’s decision to approve the application with conditions.
• Deny the appeal, and uphold the Design Commission’s decision to approve the application, with revisions.
• Grant the appeal and overturn the Design Commission’s decision, thereby denying the application.