PORTSMOUTH — New multi-family housing is on its way to Elm Avenue near the downtown area.
City Council this week approved a multi-family housing development intended to target young professionals and small families. It won’t accept housing vouchers, but up to 30 one-bedroom and two-bedroom units will be available for rent at a cost builders say is roughly 20% below average compared with the surrounding market.
The request was made by Satisfied Home Builders LLC, which has operated in Portsmouth for more than a decade. As a Portsmouth native, CEO Mark Parker said the area for the project is where he once played as a kid. Once developed, it will sit at 1001 Elm Avenue, right outside downtown.
Rafal Winiarek of Satisfied Home Builders LLC said projected rental prices based on the market at this time will be about $1,125 to $1,250 for one-bedroom units measuring around 660 to 750 square feet. Two-bedroom units scaling 920 to 950 square feet will run for $1,450 to $1,500.
It’s not clear when the project will be complete, but plans are to begin construction within the year, Winiarek said.
Related Articles
A bulk of Tuesday’s discussion centered on the planning commission’s recommended denial. City staff, including the economic development department, said the applicant’s rezoning request would allow for a development that’s too “intense” for the surrounding area in terms of density, as the surrounding residential developments are zoned to allow a maximum of 20 units. So Parker requested — and was ultimately granted — a zoning status that allows up to 55 units.
Another point debated Tuesday was an assurance that builders would develop the building just as presented. Since the applicant was granted a rezoning, the development won’t need additional council approval. But builders will still have to work with and receive approval from city staff, even for minor design changes, applicants said.
Additionally, applicants withdrew a proffer for the exterior design after reevaluating the costs. Parker said he wants to have flexibility in the final design and stay at 30 units, but he has “no will to change it at all at this point.”
“I think you’ve built great products in the city,” said Mayor Shannon Glover. “So you should be able to articulate what this product is going to look like.”
Council member Vernon Tillage and Vice Mayor Bill Moody noted the need for more housing.
“Thirty (units) sounds reasonable,” Moody said. “Also it was mentioned that the pictures, we can be assured that that’s what we’re going to get. Well we face that with every project we approve.”
Several people spoke in support of the project at Tuesday’s meeting, noting the need for more diverse housing, the need to generate more tax revenue and the need to “keep up” with the times. An additional benefit residents touted during the public hearing is that the development will provide a natural sound buffer as it will be located near Interstate 264. A representative from the Westbury Civic League also spoke in support.
“This is a little different than what Portsmouth is used to,” said Pamela Wilkins, president of the civic league. “We’re looking forward to having more tax base for the city. Not only that, but we have so many vacant properties in Portsmouth that have been vacant for years.”
Wilkins also said families aren’t always a wife, husband and multiple children who need more than one or two bedrooms.
Winiarek said builders are now working with the architect, Hanbury, and engineer, Kimley Horn, to finalize the design and add amenities, which are expected to include a community room, a gated entrance and elevators.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com