39th Street apartment project could move forward after compromise with neighbors

A new Midtown apartment project could soon move forward after the developer and nearby neighbors struck a compromise that will make the building less dense.

The City Council’s neighborhoods committee voted to recommend zoning and land use changes that would allow for Hickok Homes’ proposed apartment building at 3825 Roanoke Road off West 39th Street on what is now a vacant lot across from the Loretto building.

Hickok has proposed building new apartments on the site for years but has faced strong opposition from neighborhood residents. The developer’s initial proposal for a 92-unit building was revised into a four-story, 73-unit design earlier this year following neighborhood concerns.

Opponents have said they are not opposed to development in the neighborhood and building new housing on the lot, which straddles the Volker and Roanoke neighborhoods, but they said Hickok’s proposals would be too dense and would not be a good fit for the neighborhood’s unique character and charm while raising concerns such as traffic safety.

Hickok had asked for zoning changes and exceptions to city rules that would allow for a denser development than currently allowed on the property, which neighbors opposed, saying they would prefer a less dense development that could be built on the property without needing such changes.

Hickok representative Curt Petersen told the committee on Tuesday that the developer and neighbors have officially found a compromise rooted in four major changes to the project:

• Reducing the number of units to 69.
• Pushing the north side of the building 30 feet back from the property line, putting more distance between the development and residents who live off 38th Street.
• Adding green space and planting evergreen trees on the north side of the property, forming more of a buffer from surrounding properties.
• Removing balconies on the north side of the building and instead using decorative “Juliet” balconies that do not allow people to step out.

.The City Council is expected to consider final approval on Thursday. The proposed building would also include a commercial space.