By Josh Martinez
Twitter: @jmartinez064

A proposed downtown Scottsdale multi-family residential development will see an increase of 77 units thanks to a City Council-approved rezoning.

With the council’s approval on consent, a 2.6-acre lot near the intersection of 69th and Main streets will add the type 2 planned block development downtown overlay to its downtown/downtown multiple use zoning. This will also amend previous development standards, increasing units from 53 to 130.

The approval, which came at the City Council’s Feb. 4 meeting, also authorized Scottsdale Residences Development Agreement making it public record. Scottsdale Residences will sit on a T-shaped lot between Main and First streets with part of its boundaries touching 69th Street.

A planned block development overlay allows for development flexibility. The goal of these districts is to help the city achieve its downtown plan, develop more downtown area public amenities and add land use that would promote downtown as a 24-hour community, according to Scottsdale Code.

Initially, the City Council approved a zoning district map amendment on the property in 2017, making way for a 44-unit four-story condominium and nine two-story townhouses. An alley split the townhouses to the south from the condominium to the north into two phases.

While the request is for a zoning district map amendment over the whole property, the proposed modifications will only take place in the condominium. This ratchets up the dwelling units from 44 to 121 in the four-story building while the townhouses will remain as planned.

The density of the lot will be 50 dwelling units per acre and the building heights will be 60 feet including rooftop accessories.

Plans also call for the widening of sidewalks on Main and 69th streets to eight feet with landscaping and shading. There will also be ground level patios to “help activate the street and create interest for pedestrians,” according to a city staff report to council.

The development plan also proposes standards that are in step with downtown district standards, though with a few exceptions regarding stepback along Main and 69th streets as well as the eastern property line.

Those changes include a stepback plane inclining at a ratio of 1:1 beginning at 45 feet, rather than 30 feet, above the minimum setback from the public street, in this case Main Street. This means once the building hits 45 feet, it must begin receding at a rate of one foot per one foot of height.

On 69th Street, the stepback plane will begin at 30 feet at the same ration. Additionally, for up to a quarter of the building’s length along 69th Street, the stepback plane will begin at 48 feet. The east property line’s stepback plane will begin at 48 feet rather than 30 feet at the same ratio.

Exceptions to these standards include stoops along Main Street varying between one foot and four feet above adjacent grade. This goes along with the already approved exceptions of uncovered balconies, uncovered terraces and patios at or below grade.

City staff say the building setbacks and all other requirements are in line with the downtown standards.