Pearl Ave., Glenwood St. redevelopment project in early stages of consideration
JACKSON, Wyo. — A plan to remodel the northwest corner of Pearl Ave. and Glenwood St. is in early stages of consideration by the Town of Jackson Planning and Building Department.
The area proposed for redevelopment includes all of the one-story structures on the north side of Pearl Ave., starting from Pearl Street Bagels around the corner to the Wort Cabin located on the west side of Glenwood St. The project would encompass everything from 145 W. Pearl Ave. to 65 S. Glenwood St.
On Aug. 19, the applicant, Dynia Architects, submitted a request to have a pre-application conference for a development plan that proposes a mixed-use retail and residential condominium structure (approx. 33,000-35,000 sq. feet). According to Dynia Architects' application, the proposed condominium development would include underground parking, 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail fronting Pearl Ave. and Glenwood St. and approximately 14 condos on the second and third floors.
Town of Jackson Planning Director Paul Anthony told Buckrail on Friday, Sept. 20 that the proposed project is "right at or below 35,000 sq. feet" so the application will be reviewed for its allowance during the building moratorium, which was recently extended to Nov. 20 . The planning department is not accepting applications for buildings or projects over 35,000 sq. feet during the temporary building moratorium on large commercial buildings.
Anthony added that the applicant plans to redevelop the entire site and remove all structures, including the Wort Cabin on 55 South Glenwood St. The Wort Cabin, which houses Shari Brownfield Fine Art located next to Trio Restaurant, has not been designated as a historic property. Therefore, it is not protected with Teton Trust for Historic Places and it can be torn down as part of the redevelopment of the property.
"Most people consider that cabin to be historic," Anthony said. "A decision to move the cabin would start with the demolition process. That doesn't happen until the person has been given zonal approval."
Jackson historian and Turn Stone Research owner Samantha Ford told Buckrail that the Wort Cabin was built in the 1930s on the lot where the Wort Hotel now stands. In 1940, the Wort Cabin was moved across W. Broadway when the Wort Hotel was under construction.
"The 50-year mark is the magic number in historic preservation when a building or structure graduates to historically significant," Ford said. "Even though this building moved twice, it has been on its current site for long enough to qualify for National Register status. We currently have an exceptionally rare occurrence where we have an entire set of buildings relating to one of the founding families of Jackson, and each tells a different story that reflects nearly every facet of our community's history."
According to Anthony, another nearby cabin associated with the Wort family is protected from development as a historic property. The Gladys and John Wort Home on 155 W. Pearl, just west of the project area, is protected and not included in the redevelopment application. The building "will remain protected for perpetuity," according to the Teton Trust for Historic Places.
Teton Trust for Historic Places Board President Sara Adamson told Buckrail that the building can still be impacted by the proposed redevelopment on Pearl Ave. The cabin's easement includes the building and a five foot buffer to its west and east, which allows for new structures to be built on either side of the cabin.
"We hope that any new development adjacent to the cabin would be sympathetic and appropriate to its historic neighbor," Adamson said. "There are ways to use setbacks, balconies and facade design to not overwhelm a small building."
Anthony explained that before zoning approval, the proposed project must undergo a "red flag analysis" to assess potential impacts, including property easements, water table issues and access.
"Land Development Regulations (LDRs) require a pre-application meeting where we sit down with the various Town departments to talk about the project at a high conceptional level," Anthony explained. "We will give the applicant a timeline for everything so they understand all the submittal requirements to actually apply to develop the project."
According to Anthony, the proposed development project needs to be discussed with Town Council, the Planning Commission and the Design Review Committee. Additionally, the project will be reviewed to see if any additional studies, including environmental analysis, are required.
"Town Council needs to say, 'Yes, this process meets the LDR regulations, so you can move forward.' Then the project will enter the building permit phase," Anthony said.
A public hearing to discuss the proposed redevelopment project on Pearl Ave. will be scheduled after the applicant has acquired zoning permit/building plan approval.
