New housing coming to Dayton Street

by Sarah Kennedy

Thursday, December 6, 2007 01:12

The Urban Design Commission unanimously approved the first phase of renovation plans for the apartment building at 430 W. Dayton St. Wednesday night.

The renovations will include the conversion of the basement into another living unit and the demolition of a carriage house in the backyard to make way for construction of a new two-story house in its place.

Approval was granted under specific conditions to the second phase of renovations. These contingencies include revising the balcony and porches, the creation of four parking garage stalls, more detailed landscape plans, color samples and a footprint of the new two-story house on the rear of the lot.

The committee's acceptance of these initiatives was crucial to the property's owner, 23-year-old Brandon Cook, considering his plans to move into the basement dwelling as soon as possible and become an owner-occupant.

"One of the reasons I and the Neighborhood Association are so excited about this is that Brandon will be an owner-occupant, and there are very few owner-occupants in the area," City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, said.

As of now, Cook's property, located between Broom and Bassett streets, is exclusively student housing. Upon completion, the front apartment complex will have four three-bedroom living units and the new carriage house in the back of the lot will have six to seven bedrooms. He hopes to have both student and professional residents living in the renovated property.

A few members of the commission, although expressing encouragement for Cook, revealed concern and discomfort with the lack of detail in his overall plans with the property.

"I have an extremely high comfort level," said Verveer in response to other members' hesitation. "I sincerely believe that the applicant is going to follow through with phase two."

Cook has made ambitious plans for the property, but receiving commission approval Wednesday night was just the first step in order to move forward with them. Verveer said Cook needs to attend the Plan Commission meeting Dec. 17, the City Council meeting on Jan. 8 and return to an Urban Design Commission meeting with the finalized designs.