ผู้พัฒนา: rezoning ได้รับการออกแบบสำหรับผู้สูงอายุ

A rezoning proposal for property owned by Anita Arnold of Jonesboro will be altered to spell out that it will be intended for senior citizen housing, when she returns to the City Council next Monday, developer Kent Arnold told neighboring residents Monday.

The property is located a quarter-mile north of Johnson Avenue and a quarter-mile west of Bridger Road.

About 85 people attended a briefing on the issue in the Huntington Building. Anita Arnold initially sought to change the 20-acre plot from R-1 single family to R-3 Multi-Family in May, but the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted to recommend that the council deny the request.

Opponents of apartment complexes packed the Huntington on July 7 for a public hearing on Arnold's appeal, and the proposal was withdrawn from the agenda.

Seeking to soften the opposition, Kent Arnold said the proposal will now be for R-2A, with a limited use overlay, which would spell out exactly what would be constructed.

"You all are very justified for being here," he told the concerned neighbors. "Because R-3 is a wild card."

"I can guarantee you the only product that will go out there is elderly housing," he said later in response to questions.

He said the developer who wants to purchase the property proposes building a gated complex for persons 55 or 62 years of age or older. Rent for the 2-bedroom apartments would be in the range of $735 per month, he said. The initial plans are for 72 units, he said.

"There is a serious need for senior housing and it's not being addressed," Arnold said, noting that several developments for seniors have long waiting lists.

Arnold said there would be no impact on Bridger Road to the east or Peachtree Avenue to the north. He said a new street would be constructed to Johnson Avenue and would line up with Murray Creek Drive. He said a traffic signal may also be justified.

Arnold said he visited several senior housing developments during the weekend and found long waiting lists at each of them. He also learned there is virtually no crime and the only turnover among tenants is when someone dies.

He emphasized that the project would not be federally subsidized housing.

However, several residents remained skeptical. Some mentioned that the limited use overlays can't be trusted, pointing to the rezoning at Highland Drive and Wofford Street. A limited use overlay was imposed there, but has not been complied with, they maintained.