The Planning Commission signed off Tuesday night on three proposed apartment complexes, underscoring the continued building boom in the local multifamily market. Collectively, the projects will add nearly 400 units to the market, which is expected to experience an increase of more than 2,700 units over the next 12 months.
Among the projects the commission approved was a 204-unit complex called Wildwood of Baton Rouge, which will be developed by Dovetail Development. The complex will comprise 18 buildings on a site northeast of Burbank Drive and east of West Lee Drive. Dovetail developed The Woodlands, a 291-unit apartment complex nearby on Ben Hur Road, in 2012.
The commission also approved Arlington Development’s 179-unit project, located south of Burbank Drive and east of West Lee Drive, as well as John Engquist’s Baton Rouge Townhomes. The five four-story townhomes will be adjacent to the new IBM complex on the north side of Main Street. See a rendering of the project.
All three projects had been submitted to the Planning Commission last year. The commission on Tuesday deferred action, however, on two other multifamily projects.
Tapestry Park, a 124-unit complex also proposed by Arlington Development, was delayed until February. The project requires rezoning; additionally, several property owners who live near the proposed site―located behind Panera Bread and Bienville Quarters on Jefferson Highway―voiced concerns regarding the complex at Tuesday’s meeting. The commission asked the developer to hold more community meetings to negotiate several design features of the complex that raised concern, including height, drainage, landscaping and fencing.
The hearing for another 280-unit complex, called Park 7—planned for the block bordered by West Parker Boulevard, Swire Avenue, East Boyd Drive and Dodson Avenue—was delayed at the request of the Department of Public Works. Assistant Planning Director Ryan Holcomb says the department needs more time to complete a traffic engineering study. —Kelly Connelly
