Pueblo Housing Authority gets initial OK for Sangre de Cristo Apartments' replacement
Another phase of multifamily affordable housing units got the green light from the Pueblo Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday.
The Crawford Townhomes, at 2601 Crawford St., will feature 12 multifamily apartment buildings with 49 total units. The townhomes will replace the Pueblo Housing Authority's Sangre de Cristo Apartments that were built in the 1950s on Prairie Avenue.
“Demolition of the old apartments will be complete by the end of the month,” said Joe Caricato, planner for the housing authority. “They have served their purpose.”
Construction of the new townhomes is set to start Aug. 1. The third and final phase of demolition of old apartments and new construction of the planned Center Townhomes will follow within the next two years, Caricato said.
More housing news: No vacancy: Pueblo's apartment situation is 'a big problem'
Crawford Townhomes Principle Architect Amy Hurtig-Smith of HGF Architects told the planning commission that the new townhomes will be more modern in design and “each phase has a separate investor so they each like to have their own style so they know which buildings are theirs.”
Each group of townhomes also will have its own central green landscaped area to promote a walkable community atmosphere.
Wildhorse Crossing temporary zoning approved
In other business, the commission recommended Pueblo City Council approve a zoning change for the Wildhorse Crossing annexation. The nearly 180-acre site north of U.S. Highway 50 at Pueblo Boulevard was annexed into the city Jan. 21.
On Wednesday, the commission voted unanimously to recommended rezoning the plot from a county-designated agricultural use to a city-designated agricultural use. The agricultural zoning is considered a “holding zone” until each phase of development is outlined.
Development of the site calls for commercial and multifamily residential uses. Prior to development for each use, that portion of property must be rezoned.
“We will need to subdivide before we develop anything,” Drew Brice of Northstar Engineering told the commission.
The property is owned by Warren Dean of Wildhorse Land and Holdings LLC. Wildhorse Crossing will be the last large-scale development on U.S. 50 in the city and features nine planning areas that will encompass an auto dealership and service center, commercial offices, warehouse space and a hotel site.
The plan also calls for an 11-acre multifamily apartment complex. Each proposed use will require a public hearing to allow for community input, both at the planning and zoning commission and city council levels.
Wildhorse news: Last major U.S. Highway 50 commercial development in Pueblo city limits gets approval
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: New affordable townhomes in Pueblo get initial approval from city
