Developer proposes 24-unit high-end apartments on Pleasant England tract; council asked to consider R-4 rezoning

David Kilgore, representing the Kilgore family ownership group, addressed the council April 29 seeking R-4 (high-density residential) zoning on a Pleasant England tract (about 8.75 acres referenced in planning materials) and described plans for a 24-unit market-rate apartment project.

Kilgore said the family has managed apartments for decades and intends long-term ownership and local property management. He described the development as a “high-end” 24-unit complex with a modern clubhouse and on-site management; he estimated a project cost in the $18–22 million range and said the development would not rely on government subsidies.

Council members and Planning Director Thomas Bachelor discussed procedural steps: a rezoning would not bind the developer to one design but would allow higher-density development; site-plan approval, driveway and turn-lane work with the state and local permitting would still be required. Kilgore said primary access would be from State Route 437 and that an auxiliary or gated access to MacDowell could be added for service or emergency traffic. The applicant said retail interest in nearby parcels and changing traffic counts influenced the decision to pursue higher-density residential on the parcel.

Council members asked whether the council’s approval of R-4 would obligate the city to accept a particular project; staff and the applicant reiterated that site-plan review and engineering approvals are separate steps and that design details would be vetted through the planning process.

Ending: Council did not vote on the rezoning in the study session; Kilgore said his team will work with city staff on site-plan details and state-turn-lane requirements before returning for public hearings and formal council action.