Commission approves rezoning for 111 Hooper Street to enable 50–80 affordable units (4–0)

Taylor Cook of Halted Partners asked the Planning Commission to rezone eight parcels (about 5.13 acres) at 111 Hooper Street from a mix of R‑1 and R‑2 to R‑3 so his firm can pursue 50–80 affordable rental units serving households at roughly 30–70% of area median income. Cook said the parcels lie in Census Tract 9733, which scores highly under the Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), and that Halted plans to apply for 9% housing tax credits in February 2025 with award notices expected in May 2025.

Cook described a project program of two residential buildings plus a community building with on‑site management and said excess acreage could be used for discounted single‑family lots or other incentives to encourage mixed housing types. He said Halted held a public meeting at the Athens Public Library and mailed notices to adjoining property owners and nearby residents to solicit input.

Public commenters raised concerns about access to transit and walkability — Andrew Gudarelli and others said the nearest bus stop is roughly a 14‑minute walk and that extending transit service could be costly or reduce service frequency elsewhere. A commissioner and an engineer on the dais cautioned that Title 41 site engineering reviews will examine water lines, sewer, sidewalks and other infrastructure and that rezoning does not guarantee later site plan approval.

On a motion from the dais the commission voted to recommend rezoning the eight parcels at 111 Hooper Street to R‑3; the voice vote was recorded as unanimous (4–0). Planning staff and the developer said the next steps, if the project wins tax credits, would be Title 41/site engineering review and additional public outreach. The developer committed to further site visits and a continued public engagement schedule.