Board denies apartment variance request
Published 12:00 am Friday, December 18, 2009
A request for a variance to allow a 32-unit, three story apartment complex was denied Thursday at the Troy City Board of Adjustments meeting.
The complex was to be located on the North West corner of Aster Street and Gibbs Street in a R-3 High Density Residential Zoning District.
Bruce Taylor, who is building the complex, originally had permission to build two two-story buildings on the property.
Rory McKean, who was representing Taylor, told the board they would like to make the complex a single three-story building to be more convenient to the elderly.
The facility would be open to residents 55 years or older.
McKean said there would be only one elevator and the first floor would have 12 units, while the second and third floor units have had 10 units each.
Each unit would be two bedrooms, two baths and there would be two parking spaces per unit.
Board member EM Motes Jr. said this would put more traffic on Gibbs St.
“My concern is we’ve got enough traffic on it with the school,” Motes said.
Board member Donald Kelly made the motion to deny the request.
“The elderly don’t need three stories and one elevator,” Kelly said.
Motes seconded it.
Still, the builders already have a permit to build the two, two-story buildings, so the traffic would be the same.
“The amount of traffic is going to be there regardless,” said board member Greg Anderson.
McKean offered to amend the plans to include two elevators, but the board would not reconsider.
In other business, the board approved a variance to adjust the set back requirements for a new salon on East Academy Street.