Committee approves rezoning to allow 57‑unit senior affordable housing at 1600 W. Eighth St.

The Wilmington City Community Development and Urban Planning Committee on Feb. 13 voted to move an ordinance out of committee that would rezone a portion of the parcel at 1600 West Eighth Street from R3 (one‑family row houses) to R5A1 (low‑medium density apartment house), clearing the way for a 57‑unit affordable senior housing development to be built over an existing parking garage.

"This request . . . would allow the development of a 57 unit affordable senior housing facility on the site to be known as the Vistas of St. Francis," said Gwyneth Kaminski of the Department of Land Use and Planning. Kaminski said the rezoning is consistent with the West Side Future Land Use Map in the city's comprehensive development plan and would permit apartment buildings up to five stories with a floor‑area‑ratio limit of 2.

Kaminski told the committee the rezoning site is currently split zoned and occupied in part by a two‑story parking garage accessory to the adjacent St. Francis Hospital; the garage would remain and the housing would be built vertically over it. Staff recommended R5A1 because it allows low‑density apartments and buffers one‑family areas from more intensive commercial uses, while limiting height and density compared with higher‑density zoning alternatives.

Kaminski noted the City Planning Commission approved the proposal at its Jan. 21 meeting (resolution 125) and cited letters of support the city received, including from the Housing Alliance of Delaware, the Pavilions Property Homeowner Association president and West Side Grows Together's steering committee.

Paul Calistro, a housing developer with Cornerstone West, said the project would follow fair housing rules and tax‑credit program requirements. "There will be an open application process, and it will be on a first come first served by qualified residents," Calistro said, and added the project must meet income limits set by the funding program; he said it was not yet determined whether units would be restricted to 50% or 80% of area median income.

Project representatives told the committee they have held five community meetings to date, with monthly meetings on the third Wednesday at St. Francis's community center and attendance ranging roughly from three to 12 residents.

Committee members voiced support. Councilmember Hackett said affordable senior housing is a community priority; another member indicated willingness to cosponsor the legislation. The committee moved the ordinance out of committee by motion and second; members voted by voice and the motion carried (ayes recorded; no roll‑call tally was provided in the transcript).

The rezoning, if approved by full council and followed by any required permitting and financing steps, would make the senior housing development a matter‑of‑right use under R5A1 zoning. Councilmembers and developers asked the city to consider federal pass‑through funds during the project's financing stage and to provide early coordination with licensing, inspection and fire marshal offices during design and construction.