Yamanee Midrise Approved Again

Round two of the Yamanee approval saga was a mighty blow to those trying to protect midtown from 14-story midrise. This last stand for preservationist and neighborhood associations ended as it began, with the city standing behind the proposal. The united City Council voted in favor of the condominium project despite its height, which would be about 76 feet taller than an apartment complex across the street.

The developer now needs to get financial backing and permits before demolition of the existing buildings can begin. If all goes as planned, the developer hopes to break ground in spring of 2017. As I have said before, this project along with others in the proposal process might not get built because of slowing market conditions, but this seems to be a common occurrence here in Sacramento where economic cycles peak about the time when many developers begin the proposal process. The last cycle left more than a dozen projects on the drawing board downtown as the economy took a dive.

Third Party Appeal: Yamanee Mixed-Use Project

After gaining approval to build from the city’s Planning and Design Commission on May 12, the city Council will hear a third party appeal lead by William Burg, President, Preservation Sacramento Board of Directors. William who is a self-proclaimed “Hindrance to Development” on several local forums has cobbled together several people and small activist groups who strongly oppose the project. While on the other hand, support for the project is solid and encompasses many small business and residence in the area.

Support for this project is broad; it’s being praised for its architecture, smart density, more housing, and bring an up upscale development to midtown. The public hearing scheduled for next Tuesday the 14^th and should be a hoot. The City Council usually does not overrule the commission, so the preservation and neighborhood associations will have an uphill battle to sway the council. 

City Council hearing agenda for June 14th

Yamanee Project in Midtown

Yamanee mixed-use condominium proposal 25th & J St 

This proposed mixed-use multi-story condominium building will soon receive the Planning & Design Commissions approval at its May 12^th meeting, but its decision is appealable to City Council. The Yamanee project is a multi-story, mixed-use condominium building that proposes 14,494 square feet of ground-floor and mezzanine commercial uses and 134 for-sale residential units rising up 179ft. The project is located at the southeast corner of 25th and J Streets in the General Commercial zone and located in the Midtown Commercial overlay zone.

Despite a long list of comments opposing the Yamanee, the commission saw “significant community benefit” that include, Quality in Design, Home Ownership Opportunities, Infill, Sustainability, Decreased Dependency on Cars, Increases Pedestrian Connectivity, and Open Space/Gathering Spaces. Because of these values, the Yamanee is consistent with many General Plan goals and policies that make it an asset.

Yamanee mixed-use condominium proposal 25th & J St 

One of the key issues some thought made this proposal out of scale with the surrounding area was its massing and height. But like many other complaints made to the commission, this was dismissed by pointing out that a “9-story building immediately across J Street also helps in transitioning the height of the building to the neighborhood located north of the site”.

Looks like this might get a green light to build, but will it get started before the market takes a dive? How many times have we seen this scenario leaving great projects like this on the drawing board? 

13 Floor Condo Proposed for Midtown

13 floor condominium proposed for 25th & J Streets 

The Sacramento Planning Dept. has received a proposal for 13-story mixed-use building at the corner of J & 25^th Street. As both the SacBee and Sacramento Business Journal describe the project, there would be 134 condominiums over 10 floors, 11,000 sf of retail on first floor and 122 parking spaces in the cellar, third and second floor.

The proposal if built would be the tallest in midtown rising to 179 feet with the Sutter Medical Centers Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children's Center building on L Street rising to 153.5 feet. The location of this proposal at the corner of 25^th & J Street would sit across the street from St. Francis Manor apartments which stands 9 floors and built in 1978. With the St. Francis Manor midrise just across the street, there should be little reason for the Planning Dept. or locals to act as if this is unprecedented.

The proposal named “Yamanee” is expected to be reviewed by the Planning Commission next year with construction possibly begin in late 2016. Acording to the Sacbee, the project does not have financing yet but are currently seeking city entitlements for the project. The projects land is already under ownership of the proposed towers owner Ryan Heater.