A local partnership has an idea to ‘redevelop? a prime piece of Clarkston real estate.
Clarkston Equity Partners appeared before the Clarkston City Council on Dec. 13 with a very preliminary concept plan to raze two apartment buildings and replace them with a modern condominium complex.
‘We kind of want to run it by you guys and see if we’re wasting our time,? said David Huttenlocher.
While issuing several cautions, the council did not issue an outright rejection of the idea.
Huttenlocher said the partnership has owned two existing red brick apartment buildings at Washington and Holcomb streets for about two years. Their original idea was to convert the existing seven apartments into condominiums, but a number of factors led them to the conclusion that, ‘It’s not an economically attractive proposition for us to do.?
So came the idea to replace the two existing buildings with one larger structure with 10 units, with one- and two-bedroom living spaces located above garages. Covered parking was one of the necessary elements in marketing the condos to ’empty nesters? and single professionals.
‘Without covered parking, there is an issue, because people interested in buying those don’t want to be parked out on the street,? Huttenlocher said.
Recognizing the need for variances, Huttenlocher said the firm is willing to do the paperwork for the planning commission and zoning board of appeals.
‘I think you’re biggest problem is going to be with the historic district,? Council Member Walter Gamble said.
City Manager Art Pappas said any plans would have to pass muster before the city’s historical commission, but Huttenlocher believes the ‘Greek revival? architecture would receive a positive reaction.
‘I think the architecture would be a favorable improvement,? Council Member Kristy Ottman said.
Variances are likely needed in the area of height, setback and the total footprint, but Huttenlocher said the development would be a positive addition.
‘We think there’s a value to the community,? he said. Based on the firm’s research, similar units (between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet) in other areas0 have sold for between $179,000 and $400,000. ‘We think condos are a good thing to have in downtown Clarkston.?
Among other questions to be answered is the issue of the current grandfathered R-1 zoning. Some believe razing existing buildings would force zoning to multiple-family use.
City attorney Thomas Ryan suggested the first step would be for the developers to meet with the city’s planning consultant to determine needed variances and whether the next step would be to the planning commission or ZBA.