First Mixed-Use Building with Apartments Proposed for Close-in West Salem with new Zoning

The City has published notice for what might be the very first mixed-use block to use the new zoning in the "West Salem Central Business District" on Moyer Lane, a block off Wallace Road at the intersection with Bartell Drive.

Ground floor retail on right side
32 apartment homes above and a few in back

The draft for the new zoning went public in 2017 and Council adopted it in 2018. The new zoning was for close-in West Salem along Edgewater; and the area between Roth's, Wallace Marine Park, and the bridges.

Zoning proposal for close-in West Salem (2017)

(A detail that hadn't seemed important to register during Our Salem is that the "Second Street Craft Industrial Corridor" zone disappeared into MU-III zoning. But Edgewater Mixed-use Corridor remains even though it's swallowed up so far by a monoculture of medical clinics.)

Current zoning (City of Salem)

From SRC 525.001

The purpose of the West Salem Central Business District (WSCB) zone is to implement the Central Business District comprehensive plan map designation through the identification of allowed uses and establishment of development standards that promote a mix of residential, commercial, and civic uses developed in a manner that creates a walkable, thriving, and attractive central business district in West Salem.

This purpose also consistent with any Climate-Friendly/Walkable Mixed-Use Area the City might designate.

The parcel in question had a small house on it, which was demolished in the summer of 2012. It's been a vacant lot since.

415 Moyer Lane NW, demolished in 2012

The new building would have ground floor retail mostly fronting Moyer Lane, and 32 small apartments, 10 studios and 22 one-bedrooms. It would have 21 car parking spaces and 36 bike parking spaces. So this is another instance of developers providing car parking where none is required. With the Union Street Bridge right there the homes will have good connectivity to downtown for walking and biking, and the West Salem transit hub at the Library as well as stops on Wallace Road mean good connectivity by bus also.

Notice for Administrative Approvals

This looks like a solid project for there and hopefully it can find the finish line!