Subcommittee forwards 106-unit Marina Street apartment appeal and 13.24 acre-feet request to council

Prescott City's council subcommittee on water issues on March 4 voted 2-0 to forward WSA 25-009 to the City Council, recommending approval of a water allocation of 13.24 acre-feet for a proposed 106-unit apartment complex on Marina Street.

Brian, the city water staff presenter, said the applicant originally proposed 90 units and was previously reviewed by the subcommittee. The developer later requested rezoning to increase density to 106 units and submitted a revised water demand analysis using the city's standard apartment rate of 0.12 acre-feet per unit. That calculation produced an estimated indoor use of 12.72 acre-feet; an unchanged landscaping allowance of 0.85 acre-feet produced the 13.24-acre-feet total. Brian noted the project received credit for a prior billed usage of 0.33 acre-feet in city records.

Because the revised request exceeded 50% of the available non-residential semiannual budget, the application required an appeal under the city's water policy. The applicant submitted an appeal letter outlining benefits to the city and attended the subcommittee meeting to answer questions. Michael Taylor, the project architect, and the applicant's representative explained the unit count, building heights and site layout. The developer's representative said they had invested in asbestos abatement and other cleanup work and cited financing and break-even occupancy calculations as reasons for the higher unit count.

Neighbors attending the meeting offered public comment. Paul Landis, who said he lives at 338 Outlook Circle adjoining the site, told the subcommittee the planning and zoning commission had earlier voted 5-2 against the developer's three-story, 106-unit plan but had approved the original 90-unit plan. Martie Verrier, a resident on Wilderness Point, asked whether the proposed units would meet workforce-housing objectives; the subcommittee redirected those broader land-use questions to the City Council hearing.

Councilwoman Lois Lewis said the rezoning and water decisions would be considered together at the council level and that the subcommittee's role was to address the water allocation. After discussion, the subcommittee moved to forward WSA 25-009 for council approval with the 13.24 acre-feet allocation. The motion passed 2-0 (yes: Chairperson Roosing; yes: Member Freeworth).

Votes at a glance WSA 25-009 (Marina Street Apartments): Motion to forward to City Council recommending 13.24 acre-feet per year for a potential 106-unit apartment project. Passed 2-0 (yes: Chairperson Roosing; yes: Member Freeworth).

Ending The City Council will consider the rezoning and the water service application in its upcoming agenda; the subcommittee limited its action to the water allocation and recommended council decide the combined land-use and allocation questions.