A new housing development in Williamsburg is one step closer to becoming a reality following a meeting of the Williamsburg Planning and Zoning Committee.
The committee met for a special-called meeting Tuesday evening to discuss whether or not to make a recommendation to the Williamsburg Board of Zoning Adjustment regarding the issuance of a conditional use permit for the development to be built. The permit would be necessary for the project to move forward due to it exceeding the number of units typically permitted within R-2 zoning areas of the city.
The proposed project, named Coldiron River Estates, would be built along S. 2nd Street in the open lot just down from the Merry Jeffries Community Center and would consist of 34 one-bedroom units and eight two-story two-bedroom units, all of which would exclusively house citizens who are 55 or older. Because the units would cater to older tenants, they will include accessible features, including elevators in the the two-bedroom units.
In addition, a community room, office and parking for approximately 50 vehicles will be built on the lot.
Three entrance/exit points would also be installed to help alleviate any traffic concerns in the area.
The property has already been acquired by Cutting Edge Landscaping, which is seeking the conditional use permit.
According to Joe Hall, owner of Cutting Edge Landscaping, the property is the only location in Whitley County that “checked all the boxes” for the requirements that must be met through the Kentucky Housing Corporation to build such a development. To help meet all those requirements, if the permit is approved, Hall’s company will work with Wabuck Development to build the units and will then donate the property to the Cumberland Valley Housing Authority (CVHA).
“You have to have property that has been donated, it has to be in a certain job-density area, it has to be in a certain census track,” said Hall.
Leighann Corey, regional director at CVHA, informed the committee that the CVHA’s involvement will help ensure that government subsidies can be offered for tenants to help fulfill affordable housing needs.
The estimated average rent for the one-bedroom units would be $713 a month, according to Corey, while the estimated average rent for the two-bedroom units would be $934. Both rent amounts include provided utilities.
If all approvals are given to allow the project to move forward, Hall said that he anticipates the development to be finished within 18 months after construction begins. However, Hall noted that the project must be completely finished within a two-year timeframe.
Committee member David Perry made a motion to make a recommendation for approval to the Williamsburg Board of Zoning Adjustment, with committee member Wayne Hensley seconding the motion. The committee voted unanimously in agreement.
The issue will now be taken up Thursday evening by the board of zoning adjustment. A public meeting will be held at 5:30 at Williamsburg City Hall to allow citizens to speak in favor or against the development. The board will meet immediately following the public hearing to make a decision on whether or not to approve the permit.
