Commission to review downtown apartment proposal

Although it has the backing of the mayor's office, the construction of a proposed downtown high-rise apartment complex might be a long way off. Florida-based developer Intergroup Realty Trust wants to build a controversial nine-story complex -- to house about 800 students -- at the abandoned ST Semicon site across from City Hall.\nThe size of the proposed building doesn't comply with the city's zoning regulations, and Intergroup has filed for a conditional use permit from the board of zoning appeals. Without a permit, fewer than 30 apartments would be allowed on the two-acre site.\nThe city's Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the permit at its monthly meeting in May. Mayor John Fernandez pushed the meeting back a month so issues such as size and parking could be worked out.\nUpon suggestion of the city council and concerned citizens, the Plan Commission announced Monday that it will also review the project. It must be approved by both committees before the developer can move ahead.\n"This is being subjected to another layer of public review," said Planning Director Tom Micuda. "We want to make sure the bulk of the public is happy with the design and density. And, we want to create more public discussion and dialogue."\nEight of the nine city council members sent a letter to the zoning board last week, urging its members to reject the project as proposed. Councilman Jason Banach, R-II, who works with the University's real estate office, said he did not feel comfortable taking a public stance on the issue.\nThe letter alleges the Melrose Apartments complex would not comply with the city's Growth Policies Plan. City code requires a project seeking a conditional-use permit adhere to the development plan, although Micuda said there is some room for discretion.\n"It would be too large, with not enough parking," said Councilman Jeffrey Willsey, D-IV. "And it would be architecturally awful."\nWhile the council has no say in the decision, Willsey said members have met with Fernandez to discuss their reservations.\n"We'd be willing to compromise," Willsey said. "There are some reasonable possibilities. We could see 600 students instead of 800, which would take off two stories. And we understand that there's a point where it would no longer be profitable for the developer."\nMicuda said those are the ballpark numbers being thrown around by city planning officials.\n"We haven't yet received a response from the developer," he said. "But they've indicated that they'd be willing to compromise."\nThe city council isn't alone in objecting to the project. County councilmen are eyeing the site as a possible location for a juvenile correctional facility. \nIt's the ideal location for the juvenile center, said Monroe County Sheriff Steve Sharp. \n"It's the answer to our needs," he said. "There are already kitchen and laundry facilities at the jail, and it would be better to keep county government centralized."\nMost city officials -- even those opposed to the Melrose Apartment complex -- would rather see private development of the site.\n"It's a legitimate use and I don't object to it," Willsey said. "But that's a block on non-taxable property downtown. It's a problem from a revenue standpoint. They've had a long time to move on that option anyway"