Planning commission denies conditional-use request to convert motel to 97 affordable apartments near retirement community

The Planning Commission voted 4-1 to deny a conditional-use request to convert the Roadway/Ramada-style motel at 2502 West Loop 306 into roughly 97 apartment studios. The proposal sought permission to allow household living on property currently zoned general commercial (CG).

Austin Reed, senior planner, said staff viewed the conversion as addressing a critical local need for affordable housing and recommended approval subject to two conditions: required building permits (including a change of occupancy) and downward-shielded exterior lighting. "We do think that this directly addresses a critical community need for affordable housing," Reed said.

But opposition from nearby senior neighborhoods — notably Village East Retirement Community — dominated the hearing. Mark Davis, executive director of Village East, urged denial on behalf of many residents, saying the proposed conversion would generate additional traffic and noise and put older residents at risk. "Our recommendation, as a community ... is that this be denied," he said.

Other residents and representatives from senior housing nonprofits echoed the concern that a 97-unit complex next to a long-standing senior retirement community could reduce seniors' quality of life and present safety and mobility challenges on narrow internal roads that serve Village East. Alan Price, president of a nonprofit retirement community board, described limited ingress/egress options and said more daily activity could push traffic through the retirement community's internal streets.

Applicant representative Nathan Boats, who said he was under contract to purchase the property, said the operator would be owner-operators who screen tenants, provide onsite management and trash pickup, and largely offer studio units aimed at single tenants. Boats said the hotel already allows extended stays for up to two-thirds of units under existing rules and that conversion would formalize longer-term occupancy while improving onsite oversight.

Commissioners weighed the housing need against neighborhood compatibility and enforceability of conditions. One commissioner moved to approve based on affordability arguments and the fact that two-thirds of units can already operate as long-term stays; a second moved to deny. The motion to deny carried by a 4-1 vote. Staff reminded the room that a denial can be appealed to city council.