The Ripon Planning Commission approved a use permit Monday for construction of 16 two-story attached townhomes with single car garages.

This high-density residential project on the vacant lot near the Ripon Cemetery – specifically, 138 Gilbert Dr. and 154 Gilbert Drive – will need some tweaking.

“This is still early in the design phase,” inquired Commissioner Dave Collins to the applicant – he nodded agreeingly on plans regarding the proposed rental units.

Changes to the work will include a tad larger garage, longer driveways, and a walkway to the common space that will not affect parking.

The common space is a planned gazebo / barbecue area for tenants.

According to Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, the project is on a property zoned for Mixed Use – he noted that the approval of a use permit was necessary per Ripon Municipal Code – on 0.94 acres, allowing for up to 17 units on the subject parcel.

Commissioners call this “a beautiful project.”

The proposed townhouse buildings – each in a craftsman-style design – will be placed mostly towards the southeast edge of the property with one building hosting two attached units located in the center of the site.

The floorplans for each townhouse unit will contain first-floor kitchen facilities, dining areas, living room space and a half bathroom.

The second floor will feature three bedrooms (one master) and two full bathrooms.

Since the current site containing two parcels is zoned for Mixed Use, Zuidervaart added that another part of the conditions of approval will require the merging of the two parcels by the applicant, in turn, allowing for the rezone of the site to Multiple Family Residential.