Rochester 52-unit apartment project gets more time to build
ROCHESTER — A plan to bring a 52unit apartment development to the city has been granted a one-year extension, giving a new owner more time to move the project forward.
Planning Director Shanna Saunders said the city was in favor of the extension, because the property is changing hands. New developer Elm Grove Properties requested the extension in order to complete plans to take over the property at 29 Wadleigh Road. The property sits on a triangular piece of land that borders Route 125, the Spaulding Turnpike and Axe Handle Brook. It is behind the Anchorage Inn.
The city's Planning Board granted the extension last week. The project had received conditional approval in April 2022, and it was set to expire in April this year. The extension runs until April 2025.
Developer's plans are not yet known
Matt Menning, principal of Elm Grove Properties responded to a request from Foster's Daily Democrat, asking about his plans. He said he needed a few weeks to get details in place before speaking.
Saunders told the board the original application for the site was made by Fenton Groen, but she said the site was put on the market, with Elm Grove emerging as the buyer.
“They asked for the extension to get their ducks in a row,” said Saunders. “We had given the previous developer six months to meet conditions. We are expecting the new developer to go forward, so the city is in favor of the extension. They may be back before then, but this gives them time.”
Saunders said she doesn't know if Elm Grove plans to build the exact project originally approved for Groen.
“If they do, they will need to meet conditions set in the original plan,” she said. “If they make any changes, they will need to return for an amended plan if the changes are not too big, and to start over if the changes are significant.”
The original footprint for the proposed building was 17,874 square feet, with 52 rental apartments, a mixture of one- and two-bedroom units, to be listed at market rate. The property is in the city's highway commercial zone.
Initial application received waivers related to stormwater runoff
Saunders said when Groen submitted his application, concerns centered on water and drainage issues. The Planning Board voted to allow two waivers for the multifamily development, for new Environmental Protection Agency standards adopted by the city in June 2021 after they were recommended by Rochester's Department of Public Works.
The first waiver dealt with groundwater recharge requirements, protecting groundwater resources by reducing the post-development stormwater runoff volume, according to set ratios.
The second waiver addressed peak stormwater runoff and volume control requirements. It required measures to control the post-development peak rate of stormwater runoff and volume so that it does not exceed the predevelopment peak rate of stormwater runoff.