Project History

On January 11, 2016, the City Council approved the Mason Row (renamed to Founders Row in 2018)  mixed use project by adopted  Resolution 2016-03 Amending the Comprehensive Plan from "Business & Low Density Residential" to "Mixed Use", approved Ordinance 1944 to Amend the Zoning Map from B-3 and R-1B zoning districts to B-1; and adopted Resolution 2016-04 for two Special Exceptions with voluntary concessions for residential development within a mixed-use development and a 30-foot building height bonus for the proposed 85 foot high building. Additionally, Resolutions 2016-05 was adopted, which established an economic development agreement revenue sharing agreement between the City and Spectrum Development, LLC for the proposed movie theater.

In 2016 the Planning Commission approved the site plan and subdivision consolidation applications that reflected the 2016 approved special exception conceptual development plan. Applications for site plan and subdivision (consolidation) were submitted in October 2016. An initial Technical review by staff was completed. Prior to the final Planning Commission hearing, recommendations were received from the Tree Commission and Architectural Advisory Board. Two additional submissions responding to staff comments received (see below under Site Plan Submission 2 and Site Plan Submission 3).

A Special Exception Amendment application was submitted in April 2017, to remove the requirement for a hotel, and instead construct a 72-unit age-restricted apartment building for adults 55 years of age and new. revised Special Exception Amendment (Resolution 2018-17) materials were provided in June 2018 (see below under Special Exception Amendment Submission 2).

On August 13, 2018 City Council approved Special Exception Amendment, Resolution 2018-17, which the after a public hearing on July 16, 2018, the recommended approval to City Council of the Special Exception Amendment to remove the requirement for a hotel, and instead construct a 72-unit age-restricted apartment building. 

In March 2019, construction of the Founders Row mixed use project commenced with a build out schedule of approximately two and one/half years or end of 2021 for all phases.

On January 19, 2021, an application for a Special Exception Amendment (Theater Condition) was received from Millcreek Residential. The application requests to change the Voluntary Concessions, Community Benefits, Terms and Conditions, date August 10, 2018 associated with the previously approved special exception amendment (2018) conditions.   The proposed change in the Voluntary Concessions is related to the prerequisite for the Movie Theater commercial use to have an advanced status towards completion and tenant fits-outs, prior to the release of certificates of occupancy (COs) related to the Residential Apartment(s) completion and ability to rent and occupy. Due to the commercial market during the pandemic the planned movie theater commercial use is not available currently. The special exception amendment, Temporary Resolution TR21-03, proposes to escrow funds, instead of holding COs, to guarantee the theater tenant fit-outs in the future.