Last month, we attended a packed ZBA hearing for a proposed project at 2300 South Street. In case you don’t recall the details of the project, it involves the demolition of the buildings currently on the site and the construction of a new four-story building with eighteen apartments and a large first-floor commercial space. We went through the project in detail over the summer after the developer presented to SOSNA, and you can click here if you’d like the full lowdown.

Current view

Proposed building from Plumbob

In August, we told you that many folks who live nearby, particularly those living immediately to the north, spoke out against the project due to its height and the lack of parking provided. Maybe two dozen people showed up to the zoning hearing in opposition, but didn’t have a chance to speak because the developer’s attorney presented some extremely detailed testimony (perhaps expecting an appeal). After three hours, the ZBA decided to postpone the rest of the hearing until December 11th, despite frustrated complaints of the opposition. But it seems they’ve gotten past that disappointment and are now actively recruiting people to show up to next week’s hearing to fight this project.

Taped to a pole across the street from the project

Typos aside, our big problem with the flyer is the implication that the proposed development at 2300 South Street is only good for the developer and isn’t good for everyone else. As we suggested several months ago, we respectfully disagree with that sentiment. The proposed height of the building is consistent with or shorter than approved and already under-construction projects within a block of here. If the developer needs another four units to make the numbers work to replace two underutilized buildings and a vacant lot with a place-making multi-use project, we say it’s a huge benefit to both the developer and the community.

Some will disagree, and insist that the developer should only build as many units as are permitted by the (imperfect) code. Others will say that the project should have parking even though there’s no parking requirement and no refusal for it. Still others will say that the height of the project should be conforming to the buildings next door. And they are certainly entitled to their opinions.

But from where we sit, we see a real opportunity to create a wonderful new mixed-use addition to the neighborhood and the corridor. Hopefully, the ZBA will agree with that sentiment in the end.