FAYETTEVILLE — Planning commissioners made their first major exception Monday to the downtown height restrictions they helped put in place five years ago.
Commissioners unanimously approved plans for a five-story, 183-unit apartment complex between Lafayette and Maple streets, just east of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad tracks.
According to city code, only buildings up to four stories tall or 56 feet can be built in the zoning district where the project — called 555 Maple — is located.
Commissioners had to approve a variance to those height restrictions for the project to go through.
Their decision no doubt irked nearby residents concerned about the development’s impact on downtown traffic, parking and views.
On the other hand, several commissioners and residents said the development is a prime example of what they’d like to see: one that promotes downtown living, discourages suburban sprawl and creates pedestrian-friendly streets.
“As a commissioner, I feel it’s my responsibility to approach each project with respect to the guiding principles of our city plan,” Porter Winston said. “I feel like the designer and architects of this project have thought carefully about what those guiding principles are and have tried very hard to work toward those.”
Most of the concerns about the apartment complex, which would add 673 bedrooms — primarily for student housing — came down to density.
Fred Stephen, who lives north of the development on Wilson Avenue, told commissioners that 555 Maple is larger than any university residence hall, where students at least have some amount of supervision.
Another consequence of higher density is taller buildings can block cherished views — such as the view of Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus.
Paula Marinoni, a longtime historic preservation advocate, asked commissioners Monday keep views of the 19th century structure in mind.
Seth Mims of Springdale-based MC3 Multifamily said he and his business partner, Jeremy Hudson, were careful to maintain sight lines when designing 555 Maple.
Sims showed commissioners scale renderings of the development from Lafayette with Old Main still visible.
“It’s our belief that this development will not negatively affect the viewshed of Old Main,” Mims said.
Mims has said a fifth floor is needed to recoup the high costs of buying land downtown and building to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
To address traffic concerns, developers will be required to build a stoplight at Maple Street and Wilson Avenue and add dedicated turn lanes on Maple.
Tenants will park in a nearly 600-space, five-story parking deck that will be wrapped by the apartment building’s exterior.
To address overflow parking concerns, Mims has said some tenants might not even have a car, because of the development’s central location.
It’s a short walk from Dickson Street, the university, Wilson Park and the Frisco trail.
Hudson said he expected construction to begin this spring and last approximately 14 months.
In early 2012, commissioners are set to consider the developers’ plans for a second apartment complex south of Lafayette Street, where a parking lot and activity center for the University Baptist Church are located.