Low income housing coming to North Topeka, developer seeks funding but has 'faith' in project

District rezoning isn't typically an exciting topic. In fact it can sometimes be contentious.

Shades of both excitement and contentiousness were on display at the city council meeting on Tuesday as the governing body tried to decide whether or not to authorize rezoning a tract of commercial property to residential.

The plot of land, located at 117 N.E. US-24 Frontage Road was purchased by Topeka residents Reden and Dina Jalosjos in 2018.The Philippine-American couple sought the city's permission to build between 65 and 75 units of housing on the land, which required the decision of the council.

Ultimately, the governing body voted 10-0 to rezone the land to residential, clearing the way for the Jalosjos' to renovate the property to housing.

"We serve the community through low income housing because we are from a poor family too," Reden Jalosjos said after the meeting.

Jalosjos said that his family had rented an expensive apartment in the past. This experience inspired him and his family to "try to build things" for "people that nobody will serve."

What made some city council members hesitate

While the council did vote unanimously to approve the change in zoning, several expressed hesitation to the approval.

Why? Because of parking.

"There are gonna be some people who will have two vehicles," Councilman Tony Emerson said. "I can just see this as disaster written all over it, with people fighting over who can park there who can't."

Maintaining at least a 1:1 ratio of parking was important to both Emerson and deputy mayor Spencer Duncan. However according to city planner Burt Fiander, this is not something that should hold up approval, since the city has some locations that do not have this 1:1 ratio.

Another point was brought up by Dr. Hannah Naeger, representing district 9, in which she said many places do not guarantee parking in general. Also of note is the fact that not everyone who would be renting these apartments would own a car, prompting Dr. Naeger to ask about the closest metro stops.

"Because if we're talking about people who are getting their feet underneath them, and they're trying to just get into housing, then a car is maybe not something that they already have," she said.

According to Fiander, the closest metro stop is a quick two and half minute walk away.

The housing units that the Jalosjos' have in mind are being built with the intention of serving low income members of the Topeka community. That is, those on a fixed income such as social security, which can amount to as little as $800 per month.

Additionally, the location is within walking distance of a Dillon's, something not all neighborhoods in Topeka can claim.

"Trying to get people into housing, and making sure that these areas are available that's more important to me than a one to one ratio."

It should be noted that the council's hesitations have nothing to do with the Jalosjos'. In fact, city leaders actually complimented their efforts and the quality of previous work.

What swung the vote in favor of approval?

Also brought up by Dr. Naeger and Councilman Brett Kell is the fact that not every apartment complex offers guaranteed parking. Many college apartments may offer small lots - which they charge for - but make the remainder of residents use on-street parking.

"I've lived in three apartment complexes," Kell said. "All three didn't have guaranteed spots and in all three of those, there were people that did not drive."

Though Emerson and Mike Lesser were apprehensive about moving forward with approval, a solution presented itself when councilman Neil Dobler offered a "friendly amendment."

"I wonder if it'd be a better motion to require a one to one parking per apartment," he said. "So I guess I'd make a friendly amendment that that's a one to one ratio, not to exceed 75."

In essence, this would set an upper limit on how many units the Jalosjos' could build, depending on parking availability.

What are the next steps for the Jalosjos'?

"Our next phase is to find the funding," Reden Jalosjos said.

He said he is working with the Topeka Community Foundation and its president Marsha Pope, who Jalosjos says is 100% behind the project.

While it's difficult to assess how much an "average" apartment complex costs due to wide variances in housing markets, they can cost millions to build.

The Jalosjos' are no strangers to this however. They have built housing in the past, and own and operate their own construction company, Reden Construction and Property LLC.

For this Project, Jalosjos says they've got permission, now it's just a matter of waiting.

"We don't have money but we pray and we have faith that this project will be funded," Jalosjos said.

Alex Edwards is the local politics reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached via email at aedwards@gannett.com, or via twitter @AMEdwards21

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here's how the city approved a rezoning request for more housing