New Land Enterprises’ East Side Proposal Faces No Objections

The most notable item on the agenda was New Land Enterprises’ proposal for Farwell Avenue and Kenilworth Place.

The five-story mixed-use apartment building will have rental units available for approximately $1,000 a month and include first floor retail.  The target customer for the proposed rental units will be young professionals, potentially attracting the staff at Columbia St. Marys Hospital.  Scott Kindness, Owner of Kindness Architecture and Planning, explained that “we believe there’s a strong contingent of them, that would love to be able to walk or bike everywhere.”  Jim Plaisted, East Side B.I.D. #20 Executive Director, added that “we’ve received no objections to this project” and lent his support to the project when he said “the density is good.  The retail is well sized.”  Unlike many recent proposals on the East Side this one faced no opposition and was approved by the commission.

Another item of interested was the proposed Courtyard by Marriott to be located at 300 West Layton Avenue.  Although the plan seemed to be in accordance with the Southeast Side Plan and therefore required no notification Alderman Terry Witkowski complained about the lack of notification, saying “I’m just learning about this plan.”  It seems the recent passing of the overlay district should of allowed this project to move forward but due to Alderman Witkowski concerns it was held over for one cycle.