A project that first received a zoning change in 2022 for 243 apartments at the corner of Market Avenue and Union Road was back before council to amend the original plan adding more units.
The project on two parcels of land and located across from Atrium Medical Center was rezoned two years ago to a planned unit of development for the project named Atticus. The initial plan called for 10 buildings each with 24 units and a portion for commercial development on 12.6 acres.
The property owner Jordan Wallace was back before council last week for a public hearing on a reconfigured plan that removed commercial uses from the development, changed the layout of buildings, increase the number of units but decreased the number of buildings.
The revised Atticus development plan calls for nine buildings with 314 units of varying building heights ranging from three to four stories. The development is proposed to increase in size by 1.767 acres for a total of 14.367 acres to accommodate the multi-family residential use and will include a walking trails and a dog park.
Wallace told council he is willing to make a $58 million investment in the city that will bring much needed quality housing to Middletown.
Since receiving approval on the original plan, Wallace said developers have been challenged with high interest rates and inflation, but he has worked with city staff to “create a quality project that stands out and also meets the standard in multi family housing.”
Council gave unofficial approval of the amended plan with a unanimous straw vote. Formal legislation will be considered next month.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Also at the Jan 21 meeting, council approved a zoning change for 5.53 acres of city-owned land that once housed the former Lincoln School.
The land is now on track to become the Townes of Lincoln Village, a new neighborhood of attached, single-family homes.
Last summer, the city authorized an agreement with Cristo Homes for the development of up to 59 homes on the property. The concept plan calls for dwellings with a mix of three- and four-unit residential buildings along a new public street to be constructed as part of the development.
Some residents have expressed concerns about added traffic, the price point, the number of residences on the land and that it wouldn’t blend in with the neighboring Highland Historic District.
Council members noted the density concerns, but the housing is needed and development has to be profitable, they said.
“That school just sat there and now we have some land with the ability to let Middletown grow,” Councilman Paul Horn said at the December meeting.
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