South Asheville affordable senior living apartment complex seeks 54-unit expansion
ASHEVILLE - An affordable senior living apartment complex is looking to expand with 54 additional units in South Asheville, more than doubling the size of the Laurel Wood apartments just off Hendersonville Road.
The new complex, dubbed Laurel Wood II, would be developed, owned and managed by Volunteers of America, a nonprofit that provides affordable housing and other assistance services nationwide.
Rodrigo Galavis, the company's regional vice president of real estate development, said there is "a huge need that we need to fill" in Asheville. The existing Laurel Wood units, also managed by Volunteers of America, are almost always at 100% capacity, and there is a high demand for more independent living affordable senior housing, he said.
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The developer submitted its application for a conditional zoning review June 23. With a total of 104 units, the project will require final approval from Asheville City Council.
Galvis told the Citizen Times that the original complex was built in 1999 and has 50 affordable units, each eligible as independent living for seniors at 50% of the area median income or below.
Laurel Wood II will sit adjacent to the existing building at 650 Caribou Road on the southwest portion of the 14.7-acre parcel. Its units will be a mix of affordability, with units at 80% AMI, as well as 60% and 40%. Twelve of the units will accept housing choice vouchers, said Galavis.
The city lists a salary of $42,100 as 80% AMI for a one-person household and $48,100 for a two-person household.
Qualifying salaries at 60% AMI, are $31,575 for one person and $36.075 for two-person household.
At 60% AMI, rents in Laurel Wood II will be about $778 for a one-bedroom and $924 for a two-bedroom apartment, Galavis said.
Units rented at 80% AMI will be about $1,007 for a one-bedroom and $1,199 for a two-bedroom.
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Will Palmquist, a principal planner with the city, said assuming the project was approved or approved with conditions at the July 18 Technical Review Committee, it could potentially be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission Aug. 3 and City Council Aug. 23.
"This would also depend on their timeframe and the extent of any required plan revisions," Palmquist said in a June 27 email.
Initial plans submitted to the city show a three-story structure with vinyl siding and a brick veneer. There is a 40-foot setback between the project site and neighboring houses along Imperial Court.
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According to a June 8 neighborhood meeting summary, some neighbors expressed concerns that this was not enough space. Development staff informed them that the current 40-foot setback exceeds the requirements, but they will explore the feasibility of increasing the buffer zone.
Other concerns involved the loss of mature trees along the property line. Volunteers of America staff said it would maintain as many healthy trees as possible and adhere to a landscape plan, approved by the city, that meets current regulations.
Also included in the project are renovations to the existing 50 units, Galavis said. Updates will be made to both the independent living spaces and common areas, including newer, more efficient appliances and other improvements.
He estimated the price tag for both rehab and new construction is about $21 million.
Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 54-unit senior apartments expansion proposed for South Asheville
