Developer pitches two‑phase, 66‑unit senior apartments for long‑vacant Hanchette site

Boone Deschano, a developer with Deschano Development, presented a proposal on April 6 to build a two‑phase, independent senior apartment complex on the long‑vacant Hanchette property.

Deschano said the project would target residents 55 and older and include about 34 units in phase one and roughly 32 in phase two. "What we're proposing is a independent but more luxury style senior community," he told the commission, listing private balconies, in‑unit washers and dryers, elevators and covered parking among planned amenities.

The developer framed the plan around demographic changes in the region, citing county figures showing growth in the 75‑and‑older cohort from about 2,700 in 2010 to roughly 3,300 in 2020 and projecting more than 4,500 by 2030. Deschano said the trend leaves many seniors living in housing that is not accessible or well‑suited to aging in place.

Financially, Deschano said most units would be market rate. He outlined projected rents in his presentation, with one‑bedroom units estimated "in the $2,000 to $2,500 range" and two‑bedrooms in the "$2,350 to $2,850 range." About six of the phase‑one units (roughly 17% of phase one) would be restricted to households earning up to about 120% of area median income to make a tax increment financing (TIF) package and long‑term financing feasible. "We determined the project is financially viable if we can get some city help with the tax increment financing plan," he said.

Deschano said the purchase price for the site would be partially contingent on obtaining an Eagle grant to address environmental contamination on the property. He asked the city to be an active partner: "The city's participation will be required," he said, listing environmental review, TIF negotiation and site plan approval as next steps. He told the commission he would hope to start construction in mid‑2027 if approvals and financing fall into place, with about a 14–16 month construction period for phase one.

Commissioners questioned how the developer would ensure the complex serves the intended senior demographic and asked about past management issues at the developer's Ryan Creek Apartments. Deschano said the company can set an age limit for a defined senior project and uses standard screening and underwriting. Regarding Ryan Creek, he acknowledged early lease‑up problems and said management changes had resolved those issues: "With some management improvements and changes, today, we have not experienced any of those issues for the past few years," he said.

Local resident and property owner Brad Luban of The Pier asked whether alternative sites exist and where other Deschano developments are located; staff pointed to city planning staff and grant resources, noting the city must be the Eagle applicant for the grant the developer described.

Next steps identified by staff and the developer include further environmental investigation, potential Eagle grant application with city involvement, TIF negotiations and formal site plan review. No formal city approvals or funding commitments were made at the April 6 meeting.