Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-02-12

The municipal agenda for the Planning Commission meeting on 2026-02-12 is 👉here👈

45 Division Ave S

This is a request for a ground floor office use within a Targeted Commercial Corridor (TCC), on a property located in the City Center (TN-CC) zone district. Operation of ground floor office within a TCC requires Special Land Use as the purpose is to maximize active street use.

Within the 2015 GR Forward Plan the Targeted Commercial Corridor (TCC) is described as representing “those critical locations where we should encourage a range of ground floor, active uses including retail, restaurants, small offices and services like gyms”.

The applicant is Array of Engineers (AoE), which provides services for aerospace, robotics, and embedded systems. They are intending to relocate to this site, the previous home of Rockwell and Republic restaurants. AoE hosts industry-wide meetings and meetings with local robotics teams. This site offers superior amenities, including walk-ability, to their current location on Oak Industrial Drive.

As the CC zone district imposes no arbitrary parking requirements the application is unencumbered by the bureaucratic nonsense that is parking waivers.

Hours of operation are expected to the 6:00am – 7:00pm for thirty (30) to forty five (45) employees.

Aside:Those who have been knocking about for awhile will be aware of the dramatic shifts of uses that has occurred on this corridor. In the early 2010s South Division (SoDiv) was experiencing a renaissance, which included everything from a chocolate bar (closed ~2015) to a gourmet doughnut shop (closed in 2016) and a bespoke grocery and butcher (The Local Epicurean, 2013- 2016). The word "exodus" is overused in describing urban transformations in the United States, but it is difficult not to think of the hollowing of this corridor in such terms. SoDiv had ascended with the much documented migration of the Millenials into the urban code and then just as quickly collapsed as a destination; a shift that felt spiritually joined with the national rise of Christian Fascism. A handful of places, including Rockwell Republic hung on for awhile (2008 - 2025), but IMO at least, never again hummed with the same vitality of early 2010s. In an unfortunate turn of events the Silverline BRT would begin service in 2014, just as the corridor settled into its decline. The city's primary party district was rapidly transitioned to the Bridge St Corridor, with keystone developments like New Holland's 40,000sq/ft Knickerbocker (2016 -). This raises the question: How ardently should a city adhere to a plan for a corridor - like that included in GR Forward - as the fundamentals turn in such a profound way?

59 & 61 Commerce Ave SW

This is a request to operation a private club - including alcohol service - in a facility which was approved by the Planning Commission as a bar and restaurant - including alcohol service - in 2013. The previous use never materialized. The club is expected to include a cigar lounge, rooftop terrace, indoor live entertainment, a co-working space, and nineteen (19) overnight suites.

The 2015 GR Forward plan designates the corridor for "targeted retail and entertainment". Neither of the two buildings currently has any active user.

As the buildings are located in the Heartside Historic District all external renovations will be subject to the review of the respective Preservation Commission.

Hours of operations for the club is expected to be 6:00am to 1:00am, with staff on-site until 2:00am. All outdoor uses will end by 10:00pm. The club will have a maximum occupancy of ~500 persons.

As the CC zone district imposes no arbitrary parking requirements the application is unencumbered by the bureaucratic nonsense that is parking waivers.

3113 Plaza Drive NE

This is a rezoning request; to reclassify the property as Modern Mixed Density Residential (MON-MDR) from Neighborhood Office Service (NOS). Adjacent properties to the north and south (across the I-96 car sewer) are currently MDR-MON, with the property to the west remaining NOS.

The rezoning will allow the construction of a three (3) story twenty-four (24) unit residential development. The MON-MDR zone permits heights up to 3.5 stories and a residential density of a unit for every 1,750 sq/ft. The allowed density on the sites 53,910sq/ft is up to thirty (30) units.

The application does not detail parking provided or required, but the site's generous ~48 parking spaces is more than two spaces per unit. To be fair the location of the site is hopelessly auto-oriented.