North Port commission approves 66-unit affordable housing at Arbor Park despite staff objection

The North Port City Commission on Jan. 28 approved DMA 24‑093, Ecos at Arbor Park Phase 2, a proposed 66‑unit affordable apartment project at 1191 West Price Boulevard, finding the application met the comprehensive plan and land‑development code despite a staff recommendation to deny the application. The vote was 4‑1, with Commissioner Langdon opposed.

The project developer, McDowell Housing Partners, will build three three‑story buildings on 4.43 acres, provide about 7,800 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space and reserve the residential units for households at 30, 60 and 70 percent of area median income (AMI). The developer told the commission the units will be income‑restricted for 50 years and that rents would range roughly from $493 to $1,800 a month depending on size and income band. The applicant said construction could begin as early as April 2025 and preleasing could start in April 2026.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the project would add long‑term affordable housing in a part of the city seeing substantial market‑rate development. Staff opposed approval on land‑use grounds, saying the proposal did not deliver the intense, physically integrated mix of nonresidential uses the activity‑center policies intend. The applicant and supporters argued federal tax‑credit financing and physical constraints limited how much commercial space could be provided.

Developer presentation…