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Council to vote on apartment complex Monday
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Photo courtesy of Englewood Development Co., Inc. The proposed apartment complex will be similar in design to this one, built in El Mirage, near Phoenix, by Englewood Development Co., Inc.of Indianapolis, Ind. |
By CAROL BROEDER/Arizona Range News
A $3.88 million apartment complex is coming to Willcox -- if the City Council approves the developer's re-zoning request Monday.
Englewood Development Company, Inc. of Indianapolis had requested R-3 zoning to build apartments on vacant land between Bob's IGA supermarket and Appliance Mart on Arizona Avenue.
Timothy E. Schalk, vice-president of development, said he hoped to start the proposed construction in July and complete it in November.
The request was unanimously approved at the May 24 meeting, after failing at the meeting earlier in the month.
Jack Light, former chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said he realized the commission could not rezone the parcel R-3, as that would constitute "spot zoning."
Light suggested the developer change the request to R-4, as there is already an R-4 zone across the street. The commission would then be extending that zone rather than spot zoning.
The commission had voted 4-0 to approve the zoning change for the site at its April 28 meeting, however city officials said that meeting was "null and void." Light said he told the secretary to wait until hearing from the developer to make sure he wanted to pursue an R-4 zoning, and as a result the meeting notice was not posted in time.
The commission met again at noon on May 3 to hear the application. At that time, the commission voted 4-0 to deny the rezoning request from the developer.
The commission members voting against the rezoning were Jim Fusco, Phil Rodriguez, Earl Goolsby, and Donald Bethel.
Englewood Development re-designed the project from five units to a building with a single roofline.
"We're happy with this design," Schalk told the commission at its May 24 meeting, "We feel we meet the requirements of R-4 zoning."
He added that a six-foot masonry fence surrounding the apartment complex and landscaping will create an additional buffer between the apartments and adjacent businesses.
Schalk said the project serves a need for family housing in Willcox. "We are targeting a population that seems to be underserved. Our target market is a family of four making $6.50 per hour, up to $13. The rent levels are consistent with other rental units. It's something other than market rate. It's affordable housing."
Schalk talked about the project's benefit to local businesses.
"There's lots of opportunities for carpet cleaners, lumber companies, and specifically for Appliance Mart because they're right next door," he said.
Nancy Welch with Willcox Real Estate addressed the commission.
"Englewood Development is trying to bring a $3.88 million project into our community. We hope you'll consider this zoning change," she said.
Responding later to a question about occupancy, Welch said the apartments would probably be occupied immediately.
"We have a sign-up list with us tonight," Schalk added.
Betsy Ajeman, owner of Appliance Mart, told the commission she felt like she was in a David and Goliath situation.
"I appreciate that at least we know more this go around than we did last time," Ajeman said, "If this is going to become residential, then Appliance Mart and Desert Impressions will be an island. That will affect its actual value when we go to sell our property. Anybody looking at that is going to look at the fact that we are an island."
Mayor Marlin "Mick" Easthouse said, "I appreciate Betsy's concerns, but sometimes we just have to move forward. I think a positive vote would be a win-win for the city."
The commission members voting for the rezoning were Light, Fusco, Goolsby, and Bethel.
Rodriguez had resigned from the commission earlier that evening because he was sworn in as a city councilman.
At the May 3 meeting, Light said that he had researched aspects of the request and found that city code states only one building containing a dwelling is allowed on a zoning lot except in large-scale development.
Light said that to rezone the lot required a large-scale development to be on no less than three acres. The site in question is 2.7 acres, he said.
Welch asked if the developer was to purchase the lot adjacent to the property in question, would that help the project meet the requirements for the proper zoning?
Goolsby asked if the developer was yet within his window of opportunity.
Light replied that the window of opportunity was not for the commission to consider, and the job before the commission is to ensure that zoning for these projects is correct.
City Manager Gilbert Davidson said the city council would need a two-week window as well for advertising to the public. He added that the developer had stated the window would remain open only if things went as hoped today, and the next two council meetings could address the recommendation of the commission regarding the project.
Easthouse said that while he would love to see the project move forward, he is also very concerned about the zoning being correct and will rely on the expertise of the commission on that.
Former Commissioner Ken Smith said he had served on the commission for many years until July of 2003. He asked the commission if they were aware what a "zoning lot" is.
Smith asked them to look at the city code, which states every dwelling is to be on a zoning lot.
He said that only one building containing a dwelling shall be located and maintained on a zoning lot except in a large-scale development.
Smith said his opinion is that R-4 or R-3 are not the correct zones for this project, and that the proper procedure for the developer is to submit plans prior to making a request before the commission.
He said the commission is on the wrong track and needs to look at what it is doing, and promised that if he sees the project moving forward under a zone he feels is improper he will take a personal interest in it and pursue it.
Fusco said that Title 17 is in desperate need of a thorough updating as there are many contradictions -- things that do not match up or are not clear. He added that the R-5 zoning is a joke, and that it is unrealistic to expect to ever get anything done in this town "with this hanging around our necks."
Smith said that he was asked to help revise Title 17, submitted his revisions to the city, but had not heard a word since.
"Had the commission not, on several occasions, asked for revisions and turned suggestions into the city attorney only for nothing to be changed?," he added.
Light said that they should stick to items on the agenda.
Easthouse said there is property available adjacent to the lot in question, and it may be possible to approve the zoning contingent upon more property being acquired by the developer to meet the R-5 zoning requirements.
The city council, including three new councilmen -- Elwood "Woody" Johnson, Phil Stratton, and Phil Rodriguez -- will hear the rezoning request on Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
The 40-unit apartments proposal includes units with two, three, and four bedrooms. The average target rent is between $285 and $599 a month.
(Editor's note: Editor and Publisher Brendan FitzSimons contributed to this article.)
Englewood Development Company, Inc. of Indianapolis had requested R-3 zoning to build apartments on vacant land between Bob's IGA supermarket and Appliance Mart on Arizona Avenue.
Timothy E. Schalk, vice-president of development, said he hoped to start the proposed construction in July and complete it in November.
The request was unanimously approved at the May 24 meeting, after failing at the meeting earlier in the month.
Jack Light, former chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said he realized the commission could not rezone the parcel R-3, as that would constitute "spot zoning."
Light suggested the developer change the request to R-4, as there is already an R-4 zone across the street. The commission would then be extending that zone rather than spot zoning.
The commission had voted 4-0 to approve the zoning change for the site at its April 28 meeting, however city officials said that meeting was "null and void." Light said he told the secretary to wait until hearing from the developer to make sure he wanted to pursue an R-4 zoning, and as a result the meeting notice was not posted in time.
The commission met again at noon on May 3 to hear the application. At that time, the commission voted 4-0 to deny the rezoning request from the developer.
The commission members voting against the rezoning were Jim Fusco, Phil Rodriguez, Earl Goolsby, and Donald Bethel.
Englewood Development re-designed the project from five units to a building with a single roofline.
"We're happy with this design," Schalk told the commission at its May 24 meeting, "We feel we meet the requirements of R-4 zoning."
He added that a six-foot masonry fence surrounding the apartment complex and landscaping will create an additional buffer between the apartments and adjacent businesses.
Schalk said the project serves a need for family housing in Willcox. "We are targeting a population that seems to be underserved. Our target market is a family of four making $6.50 per hour, up to $13. The rent levels are consistent with other rental units. It's something other than market rate. It's affordable housing."
Schalk talked about the project's benefit to local businesses.
"There's lots of opportunities for carpet cleaners, lumber companies, and specifically for Appliance Mart because they're right next door," he said.
Nancy Welch with Willcox Real Estate addressed the commission.
"Englewood Development is trying to bring a $3.88 million project into our community. We hope you'll consider this zoning change," she said.
Responding later to a question about occupancy, Welch said the apartments would probably be occupied immediately.
"We have a sign-up list with us tonight," Schalk added.
Betsy Ajeman, owner of Appliance Mart, told the commission she felt like she was in a David and Goliath situation.
"I appreciate that at least we know more this go around than we did last time," Ajeman said, "If this is going to become residential, then Appliance Mart and Desert Impressions will be an island. That will affect its actual value when we go to sell our property. Anybody looking at that is going to look at the fact that we are an island."
Mayor Marlin "Mick" Easthouse said, "I appreciate Betsy's concerns, but sometimes we just have to move forward. I think a positive vote would be a win-win for the city."
The commission members voting for the rezoning were Light, Fusco, Goolsby, and Bethel.
Rodriguez had resigned from the commission earlier that evening because he was sworn in as a city councilman.
At the May 3 meeting, Light said that he had researched aspects of the request and found that city code states only one building containing a dwelling is allowed on a zoning lot except in large-scale development.
Light said that to rezone the lot required a large-scale development to be on no less than three acres. The site in question is 2.7 acres, he said.
Welch asked if the developer was to purchase the lot adjacent to the property in question, would that help the project meet the requirements for the proper zoning?
Goolsby asked if the developer was yet within his window of opportunity.
Light replied that the window of opportunity was not for the commission to consider, and the job before the commission is to ensure that zoning for these projects is correct.
City Manager Gilbert Davidson said the city council would need a two-week window as well for advertising to the public. He added that the developer had stated the window would remain open only if things went as hoped today, and the next two council meetings could address the recommendation of the commission regarding the project.
Easthouse said that while he would love to see the project move forward, he is also very concerned about the zoning being correct and will rely on the expertise of the commission on that.
Former Commissioner Ken Smith said he had served on the commission for many years until July of 2003. He asked the commission if they were aware what a "zoning lot" is.
Smith asked them to look at the city code, which states every dwelling is to be on a zoning lot.
He said that only one building containing a dwelling shall be located and maintained on a zoning lot except in a large-scale development.
Smith said his opinion is that R-4 or R-3 are not the correct zones for this project, and that the proper procedure for the developer is to submit plans prior to making a request before the commission.
He said the commission is on the wrong track and needs to look at what it is doing, and promised that if he sees the project moving forward under a zone he feels is improper he will take a personal interest in it and pursue it.
Fusco said that Title 17 is in desperate need of a thorough updating as there are many contradictions -- things that do not match up or are not clear. He added that the R-5 zoning is a joke, and that it is unrealistic to expect to ever get anything done in this town "with this hanging around our necks."
Smith said that he was asked to help revise Title 17, submitted his revisions to the city, but had not heard a word since.
"Had the commission not, on several occasions, asked for revisions and turned suggestions into the city attorney only for nothing to be changed?," he added.
Light said that they should stick to items on the agenda.
Easthouse said there is property available adjacent to the lot in question, and it may be possible to approve the zoning contingent upon more property being acquired by the developer to meet the R-5 zoning requirements.
The city council, including three new councilmen -- Elwood "Woody" Johnson, Phil Stratton, and Phil Rodriguez -- will hear the rezoning request on Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
The 40-unit apartments proposal includes units with two, three, and four bedrooms. The average target rent is between $285 and $599 a month.
(Editor's note: Editor and Publisher Brendan FitzSimons contributed to this article.)
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