COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After previously saying no, the City of Coldwater Planning Commission Monday night voted 6-2 in favor of plans for the proposed Lofts at Milnes Plaza.
The plans presented Monday covered the phasing, lighting, signage, landscaping and storm water for the project. There was a contingency that the staff approve the storm water changes that have been required by Brian Van Zee from the Lansing engineering firm of c2ae after he reviewed the construction plans for the city.
Spire Development of Columbus, Ohio first presented plans for the project to the city almost a year-and-a-half ago.
The Planning Commission initially turned down the project in September 2017. But it came back onto the table early this year after the City Council adopted an addition to the city zoning ordinance which would allow multi-family residential uses within the C-2 Central Business District.
The revised plan called for 50 apartment units instead of the original concept of 41 units.
Last July, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority approved almost $990,000 in conditional Low Income Housing Tax Credits for the project.
Plans call for a single phase of construction with work starting in late April or early May. The project is expected to take 13 months to finish. Excavation of the parking lot for the installation of infrastructure is scheduled to take place at the beginning of the project.
City Planner Dean Walrack says while every effort would be made to minimize disruptions, there are likely to be times when a significant portion or all of the parking lot will be unavailable. When finished, there will be 123 parking spaces.
The proposed development has sparked considerable debate locally.
While Mayor Tom Kramer has backed the project citing the city’s need for affordable housing, some citizens have spoken against it because they feel it will adversely affect downtown parking and hinder downtown development. Opponents have also wondered if such a multi-family residential development is appropriate in the downtown area.
There have also been questions about the need for another apartment complex especially after the opening in recent years of Whispering Pines and the Apartments at Sauk Trail.
