Developer proposes 52 affordable apartments at 155 Witt Davis Road; planning commission recommends approval

An applicant proposed rezoning 155 Witt Davis Road from Commercial Neighborhood (CN) to Mixed Density Residential RM3 to allow a nonbinding plan for 52 apartments (80 beds), including an age-targeted affordable housing proposal and an application for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The Planning Commission recommended approval April 15.

David Ellison, representing the applicant, told commissioners the site has been vacant under CN since about 2011 and that the developer is not seeking voluntary inclusionary zoning bonuses because the project does not need them. Ellison said the plan would offer 35 units at 60 percent of area median income (AMI) and 11 units at 50 percent AMI if LIHTC financing is secured; the applicant said the LIHTC process would require a binding covenant to run with the land if awarded.

Staff reported that sanitary sewer is not immediately available to the property but that Public Utilities has identified a viable engineering solution across Whit Davis Road; staff said more work is needed to determine costs to extend sewer. The Planning Commission found the request consistent with the 2023 Comprehensive Plans goals to increase affordable housing supply near commercial nodes and parks and recommended approval.

Commissioners asked whether the rezoning would lock the site into senior housing; staff and the applicant said the current request is a straight rezone to RM3 and that the rezoning alone would not legally require the property to be age-restricted unless a binding covenant or other mechanism (such as LIHTC-related covenants) were added. Commissioner Davenport and others urged the applicant to provide guarantees if the community expects senior-only units; applicant reiterated the plan to pursue LIHTC credits and noted the application timetable.