Feedback for 750 23rd St. S. (Melwood Site) -- Oct. 21-Nov. 4, 2024
Feedback for 750 23rd St. S. (Melwood Site) -- Oct. 21-Nov. 4, 2024
The applicant, 23rd Redevelopment Owner LLC, proposes the construction of a new five-story mixed-use development consisting of 100% affordable housing and ground floor institutional space for educational/occupational training and support services. A partnership between the Melwood Horticultural Training Center and Wesley Housing Development Corporation, the proposal consists of 105 affordable units and approximately 18,121 square feet of institutional space for workforce development and community programming services for people with disabilities. The proposal has a maximum building height of up to 60 feet (five stories) and incorporates stepbacks on the second and fourth floors. The proposed density is approximately 154,087 square feet of total gross floor area (GFA).
Additional project details include:
- 105 affordable units
- 18,121 square feet of institutional GFA
- 95 total parking spaces in a below-grade parking level
- 75 residential parking spaces
- 20 training center parking spaces
The site is located in the Melwood Special Land Use Study area and subject to the Melwood Special GLUP Study, which was accepted by the County Board in May 2024. See the Special GLUP Study Document. (Scroll to page 25 for Guiding Principles and Recommendations).
Share your input by November 4, 2024
You're invited to review project materials and provide input on the site plan application for 750 23rd Street South (the Melwood site). Feedback is focused on the following topics with an opportunty to provide other comments as well.
- Land Use and Density
- Site Design and Layout
- Building Height, Form and Architecture
- Historic Preservation
- Parking and Loading
- Transportation
- Site Access
- 23rd Street South
- South Grant Street
- Open Space and Landscaping
- Green Building and Sustainability
Project materials:
- Watch the staff presentation
- Review the staff presentation slides
- Watch the applicant presentation
- Review the applicant presentation slides
- Review the staff report
All comments will be compiled and posted after the feedback window has closed. Additional opportunities to provide input are outlined on the project page.
Share your feedback
Type your comments in the appropriate text box(es) below. Each text box permits up to 500 characters. If you have comments about a topic that is not listed, please use the final text box to submit them.
Click on images to enlarge.
Land Use and Density
| Density | Proposed |
|---|---|
| Residential Gross Floor Area (GFA) | 135,966 square feet |
| Institutional GFA | 18,121 square feet |
| Total GFA | 154,087 square feet |
| Base Density | 60 units (36 dwelling units per acre [du/ac]) |
| Additional Density | 45 units (27 du/ac) |
| Total Affordable Units | 105 units (63 du/ac) |
| 1-bedroom | 20 units (19%) |
| 2-bedroom | 63 units (60%) |
| 3-bedroom | 22 units (21%) |
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- To what extent do the residential and social service institution uses align with the Melwood GLUP Study’s guiding principles?
- What are your thoughts on the number of affordable units and proposed bedroom mix?
Site Design and Layout
As you respond, consider the following question:
- How well do the site layout and building placement align with the building design recommendations of the Melwood GLUP Study?
Building Height, Form and Architecture
Main Roof Height: 60 feet (5 stories)
Mechanical Penthouse: 9 feet
Building Materials and Features
- Orange-red brick base with brickwork details and gray cast stone cornice
- Orange-red brick and dark gray and white fiber cement façade
- Dark gray and white fiber cement top floor
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- How consistent do you find the proposed maximum building height with the building height recommendations of the Melwood GLUP Study?
- To what extent do the building form and height transitions align with the Melwood GLUP Study’s building design recommendations?
- What are your thoughts on the architecture and building materials?
Historic Preservation
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- How well does the proposal align with the historic preservation recommendations of the Melwood GLUP Study?
- Do you feel there are elements/characteristics of the existing building or grounds that would be appropriate for preservation or interpretation?
Parking and Loading
Required Parking & Loading:
- 139 total spaces
- 119 residential spaces (1.125 spaces/unit)
- 20 training center spaces
- 1 loading space
Proposed Parking & Loading:
- 95 total spaces
- 75 residential spaces (0.71 spaces/unit)
- 20 training center spaces
- 1 loading space
As you respond, consider the following question:
- What are your thoughts on the proposed number of parking spaces?
Transportation
Site Access
- Parking in below-grade garage accessed from 23rd Street South
- Loading and trash accessed from South Grant Street
- Bike rooms in garage and ground floor
- Maintain existing bus stop on 23rd Street South
Proposed: 23rd Street South
Western Streetscape:
- 6-foot-wide sidewalk
- 4.5-foot-wide planting strip (portion)
- Passenger loading zone ramp (portion)
Eastern Streetscape: No changes
Street:
- Passenger loading zone
- Additional on-street parking
Proposed: South Grant Street
Streetscape:
6-foot-wide sidewalk
6-foot-wide planting strip
Street:
Two travel lanes
Remove Sunday-only on-street parking
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- What are your thoughts on the pedestrian, vehicular and loading access locations?
- To what extent do the street and streetscape dimensions for 23rd Street South and South Grant Street align with the transportation recommendations of the Melwood GLUP Study?
Open Space and Landscaping
As you respond, consider the following question:
- How well do the open space, trees and landscaping align with the environmental and building design recommendations of the Melwood GLUP Study?
Green Building and Sustainability
Green Building Incentive Policy (GBIP):
Site Plans Without Bonus Density
- LEED Silver certification
- Energy performance improvement
- ENERGY STAR appliances and WaterSense fixtures
- 10 years of energy reporting
Applicant Proposal:
- National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Silver Certification
- High energy performance improvement
- ENERGY STAR appliances (non-combustion) and WaterSense fixtures
- Ongoing energy reporting
As you respond, consider the following question:
- How well do the green building commitments align with the Melwood GLUP Study’s environmental recommendations?
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