By Kim McDarison

Six people arrived at the Whitewater Municipal Building Thursday to learn about a proposed 128-unit apartment complex development which will come before the Whitewater Plan Commission Monday for approval of a conditional use permit.

Approval of the conditional use permit is the final step needed before the developer can break ground for the project, Whitewater Economic Development Director Taylor Zeinert said Friday.

Should the Plan Commission grant approval of the conditional use permit, Zeinert said, the project will be built on an 11-acre parcel on Moraine View Parkway, on the city’s east side. 

The project has been a source of discussion, and some controversy, since May, when a proposed development agreement, between the city and Slate Real Estate, Inc., came before the city’s Community Development Authority (CDA) for recommended approval by the city council.

During their May meeting, CDA members voted 4-3 in favor of recommending approval of the development agreement to the Whitewater Common Council. The council, which met also in May, approved the agreement.

CDA members voting in May against recommending the development agreement for approval included Jon Kachel, Jeff Knight, and Neil Hicks, who is a council representative serving on the body. 

An earlier story about the CDA’s decision to recommend approval of the project’s development agreement is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/cda-recommends-approval-of-128-unit-multifamily-development-on-moraine-view-parkway/.

During its May meeting, the Whitewater Common Council voted 6-1 to approve the project’s development agreement, with councilman Neil Hicks casting the ‘no’ vote.

During the city council meeting, the city’s then-economic development consultant Kristen Fish-Peterson described the development agreement, saying that the total construction estimate is $31.9 million, and, she said, “the developer is expressing that this project would not take place without an incentive. So the request is for approximately $5.1 million to be paid out as a pay-as-you-go agreement. The project will have a minimum assessed value of $24.6 million, and that will be guaranteed by the developer with a pilot payment. And if that assessed value is not met, the incentive would be 85% of the increment for the first 10 years, and 60% of the increment in the remaining four years of the life of the district. This would — there are no up-front expenses for the city of Whitewater. The district will remain in the black for the entire life of this project within the district because of this project. It is an eligible TID project within the project plan. Project expenses are categorized as grants to developers, and that language is in the TIF plan.” 

An earlier story about council’s approval of the development agreement for the project is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/council-approves-development-agreement-for-multifamily-project-on-moraine-view-parkway/.

In a telephone interview Friday, Zeinert said Thursday’s listening session was held to give members of the public another chance to see the plans for the proposed development and ask questions of city officials. She and the city’s contracted code enforcement and zoning specialist Allison Schwark were on hand to field questions.

The question-and-answer period lasted about 45 minutes, Zeinert said. Among those asking questions were Whitewater City Council President Patrick Singer, Whitewater resident Larry Kachel and Rep. Scott Johnson. Three residents living in a neighborhood on Jakes Way, which is located near the proposed development site, were also among those asking questions, she said.

Thursday’s participants were invited to view several “large printouts” of the developer’s plans for the new complex, Zeinert said.

Additionally, printouts of memos written by the city’s police chief and fire chief were presented, with those officials expressing concerns about the size of some of the turning radiuses presented in the originals plans. Those concerns have been addressed by the developer, with the size of the radiuses increased to meet the city officials’ requests, Zeinert said.

In a statement to WhitewaterWise on Friday, Zeinert wrote that the information presented Thursday “included updated plans, which now incorporate emergency egress along Bluff Road Drive, larger turning radii within the development to accommodate emergency vehicles, and enhanced sidewalk connectivity to provide access to Walton’s East Gate Park.”

Those attending Thursday’s session were among the first to see the plans with the modifications, Zeinert added.

Zeinert said attendees asked questions regarding the price of the rental units which are proposed for development.

She said she and Schwark explained to residents that “our job is not to verify rent prices, but to make sure that the development meets city ordinances as it is laid out.”

Additionally, she said, residents voiced concerns that the new project would include housing that would fall within the scope of “Section 8” housing. Zeinert said the concerns were unfounded, noting that the project would provide “market rate housing.”

The project will come before the city’s Plan Commission, Monday, at 6 p.m., she said, at which time the body will consider approval of the conditional use permit required to move forward with the project.

City staff is recommending approval of the conditional use permit, Zeinert said.

Zeinert said that attendees on Thursday also voiced concern about use of tax incremental financing associated with the project’s development agreement.

She said staff members explained to those concerned that the use of tax incremental financing, as it related to the project, had already been approved by members of the city council.

On Monday, she said, city officials will be looking at the project specifically as it relates to the application of a conditional use permit.

Also sharing a statement on Friday, City Manager John Weidl wrote: “While we understand that rental prices are a significant concern for many, our focus remains on creating high-quality, sustainable housing that aligns with Whitewater’s long-term goals. We are committed to continuing to listen and work with the community to ensure that developments not only enhance our city’s growth but also support the well-being of all residents. I encourage everyone to stay engaged in this process and, if interested, attend the upcoming Plan and Architecture Review Commission meeting to share your thoughts and learn more about this project.”

Documents provided within the Plan Commission meeting packet note that the developer is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of buildings within the R-3 zoning district that will house more than four units. The developer is proposing to build eight 16-unit multifamily buildings. A document outlining the proposed project and its conditional use permit request is here: https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/whitewatwi-meet-8e6652ef92f54cfea248c30b0aa5904f/ITEM-Attachment-001-e9c0a592bbaa4237a207024f6d15cddb.pdf.

The agenda for Monday’s Plan Commission meeting is here: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=WHITEWATWI&me=8e6652ef92f54cfea248c30b0aa5904f&ip=False.

Artist’s renderings of the proposed complex and its proposed site plan are here: http://whitewaterwise.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Site-Plan-Only.pdf. 

Zeinert included additional comments in a letter to the editor submitted for publication Friday, found here: https://whitewaterwise.com/economic-development-director-on-apartment-complex-listening-session-we-received-thoughtful-feedback/.