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Return

TO:

Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council

FROM:

Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager

DATE:

July 23, 2024

SUBJECT:

Res 24-444 Approve General Development Plan and Specific Implementation Plan for a Multi-Family Residential Use at 600 Merritt Avenue (Plan Commission Reccomends Approval)

BACKGROUND

The subject site is a 2.51-acre property with frontage on Merritt Avenue, Boyd Street, and Monroe Street. The site has a six-story apartment building (Marian Manor) with 121 living units. The surrounding area consists primarily of residential uses along with the Boys and Girls Club to the west and St. Mary’s Church to the south. The 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan recommends Light Density Residential use for the subject site.

ANALYSIS

Marian Manor has 121 units of housing for very low-income persons. Most are older adults and persons with disabilities. The applicant is proposing a remodel of the building for a general facelift of the apartments and common areas, replacing failing windows, and adding six apartment units for a total of 127 units. The area to be converted to new residential units is located with the existing community space and general offices of the Housing Authority, which are being relocated to an off-site location. No changes are proposed to the existing site layout.

Apartments are not permitted in the Institutional District. A Base Standard Modification (BSM) is needed to allow the additional apartment units. Staff is supportive of a BSM to allow the additional apartments as it is consistent with the existing use of the property and the relatively minor increase in number of residents should not negatively impact the surrounding area. The additional units will serve to provide needed housing in the area. Tenants are not anticipated to have personal vehicles, so no changes are expected to existing parking on the site or traffic in the surrounding area.

FISCAL IMPACT

Approval of this would not result in an increase in the assessed property value for the site as the site is exempt. The applicant is anticipating spending approximately $7.5 million on the overall improvements.

RECOMMENDATION

The Plan Commission recommended approval of the requested General Development Plan and Specific Implementation Plan for multi-family residential use at 600 Merritt Avenue with findings and one condition on July 16, 2024. Please see the attached staff report and meeting minutes for more information.

Attachments

Res 24-444

GDP SIP 600 Merritt Ave