By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
All or portions of 10 separate residential properties, including single-family homes, will soon transition to a 64-unit apartment complex as part of a plan that includes rezoning the parcels. This area of re-ordering will mean that many residents will potentially be moving either into the complex or out depending on what they want to do. They may need to use moving services like www.atlantahomemovers.com, or use local movers so they can gather their items in time before the change.
The Whitewater Common Council on Feb. 23 voted, 6-0, in favor of the apartment transition project, which is being spearheaded by property management firm DLK Enterprises. Councilmember Stephanie Goettl abstained from voting since she works for the company.
DLK’s plans include completely removing five existing homes, located at 1025, 1031, and 1041-43 W. Starin Road and 240 N. Prince St. to accommodate the new apartment complex. A vacant parcel on Starin Road is also included in the plans.
Also, the rear yards of five additional properties will give way for the development. These properties are at 251, 257, 263, 275, and 281 N. Tratt St.
To accommodate the incoming development, the council as part of its vote rezoned all parcels from a technical zoning designation of the multi-family residential district to a university residential density occupancy overlay district.
There were a few concerns brought up regarding the transition with the main one being security. However, DLK was able to show how safe the apartment complex was as they use a gate entry system, install top-of-the-range locks, and will have security patrolling the area in the evening.
DLK’s plans had the backing of several officials, including City Planner Chris Munz-Pritchard, who cited the desired density in the area as one reason she believed the project would be prudent for the area.
But as part of her “yes” recommendation, Munz-Pritchard also outlined several conditional-use stipulations that should be baked into the project.
The conditions include a requirement DLK obtains a certified survey map to outline some of the granular details of the development.
Munz-Pritchard also set parameters around parking accommodations within the development.
“The minimum parking stall requirement is 127 stalls,” she said. “Residents will have numbered parking stalls, hanging tags or parking stickers to identify permitted vehicles. A sign is to be placed at each entrance of the apartment complex that indicates any unauthorized vehicles, without proper identification, will be towed.”
Recommendations also have been set around the overall composition of the development.
“Due to the size, the buildings should be comprised of a series of residential masses and forms to reflect the individual units and give the building scale and visual appeal per the pending design guidelines,” Munz-Pritchard said.
“Elevations should be articulated in ways that give the appearance of multiple façade layers, which add depth and avoid the appearance of flat residential facades,” Munz-Pritchard added.
Although the numbers remain fluid, height thresholds will likely cap at 35.1 feet – at least for portions of the development. Other sections of the complex could have heights ranging from 30.5 feet to 33.8 feet.
Other stipulations within the conditional-use permit include a requirement a knox box be placed somewhere within the development.
Knox boxes are designed to provide ready access to a building in the event of a fire or other emergency. The property owner holds one key, while the fire department has a duplicate on hand.
The new apartment complex is expected to encompass 23,408 square feet.
