Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - October 23, 2026

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) met on October 23, 2026, to consider a phasing plan request for a conditional use approved in 2023 for a supportive housing project at 1201 West Third Street. The applicant, Beacon Inc., sought approval to construct the project in two phases due to funding challenges, with phase one covering approximately half of the originally planned building. The board unanimously approved the request with a condition requiring initiation of phase two by January 1, 2029, or a new conditional use approval would be needed.

Discussion Items

• The project was originally approved in 2023 for a 45,000-square-foot building containing supportive housing (50-bed overnight shelter, 20 dwelling units, five work-to-live units), community services, and parking, with variances for work in the floodplain and riparian buffer.
• Staff reported that the applicant encountered funding challenges, leading to a request for a phasing plan: phase one (approximately 20,000 square feet, two stories) would include the west side of the building, half the parking, all stormwater improvements, and the entrance from Third Street. Phase two (remainder of building and parking) would be built when funding becomes available.
• Staff recommended approval with a condition that if phase two is not initiated by January 1, 2029, a new conditional use approval would be required.
• Don Gray (Spring Point Architects, for petitioner) stated phase one construction drawings are underway and construction is expected to begin early 2027, weather dependent. He expressed gratitude for the board's consideration.
• Board members discussed the history of the original case, noting that the prior approvals (conditional use and variance) were unanimous. They questioned the appropriateness of the 2029 deadline and the risk that phase two might never be built, leaving the project without full services (emergency shelter, day center) that were part of the original concept.
• Forrest Gilmore (Executive Director, Beacon Inc.) testified that phase one is funded by a $7 million grant requiring lease-up by March 31, 2028. He stated that phase one is self-contained with permanent supportive housing, case management offices, and community space, and would function independently even if phase two is not completed. He noted a $4 million funding gap for phase two, but said Beacon is committed to completing the full project. He confirmed that the 2029 deadline is reasonable but could not guarantee due to unpredictable funding.
• A board member raised a concern from the original public comment about distance to services and bus lines, and another noted that the project originally received letters of support, including one expressing concern about services proximity.
• Staff clarified that the city cannot compel construction of phase two even if approved; it can only approve what is brought forward.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke in person or online during the public comment period.

Key Outcomes

• The board approved the phasing plan (ZR 2026-09-0043) for 1201 West Third Street by a vote of 4-0 (Roch Morton: yes, Burrell: yes, Fernandez: yes, Casinka: yes).
• Condition of approval: If phase two has not been initiated by January 1, 2029, a new conditional use approval is required for phase two.
• No other new business was discussed; the meeting adjourned.