New senior affordable housing complex could be coming to Wilmington's Mosley Street
Nearly eight acres on Mosley Street in Wilmington have been recommended for rezoning by the city’s planning commission. Charlotte-based Greenway Residential Development wants to build a 60-unit multiple dwelling residential development at 516 and 520 Mosley St.
What's being proposed?
“This is for a 60-unit, multi-dwelling, senior housing residential development,” said city planner Patrick O’Mahoney.
The project will consist of six, six-unit townhomes; four, five-unit townhomes; and one, four-unit townhome, along with a clubhouse at the center of the development. Throughout the development, the proposal includes nine one-bedroom units and 51, two-bedroom units for a total of 111 bedrooms.
According to O’Mahoney, the applicant has voluntarily committed all units as senior affordable housing with 16 of the units provided at 30% of the area median income (AMI), 30 units will be provided at 60% of AMI and 14 units will be provided at 80% of AMI.
Mark Richardson of Greenway Residential development clarified that the senior development is age restricted to residents 55 and older and would have management and maintenance on site.
“We will have a clubhouse that will provide a community center with a business center. Each unit has its own hook-up, but the center will also provide a laundry facility and fitness area,” Richardson said. “There will be gazebos and some seating areas outside.”
More: New Hanover Planning Board rejects affordable housing project for Castle Hayne. Here's why.
Why the approval?
City staff recommended the proposal as they found that the Comprehensive Plan does support increased densities along major corridors and near services – the site plan provides a density that is less than what may be permitted by-right under current zoning. Staff said that while this development is not near services, it does provide additional housing opportunities in an area that is historically difficult to redevelop.
Liz Carbone of the Good Shepherd Center spoke in favor of the development.
“In the past three or four years, we’ve seen a 35% increase in seniors seeking services, and the majority of them are experiencing homelessness for the first time,” Carbone said. “They are simply unable to continue to afford the housing they’ve maintained in this community.”
More: A senior housing community is coming to Monkey Junction. What to know about the site, cost.
What’s next?
Now that the planning commission has recommended approval, a hearing in front of Wilmington City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington, NC, might see more affordable housing for senior residents
