Commission OKs Senior Duplexes

PRAIRIE GROVE — The first phase of a senior citizen complex will have a 2,000-square-foot community center and 16 duplex units, a total of 32 apartments.

Prairie Grove Planning Commission approved the large scale development plan for the project at its Sept. 29 meeting. The duplexes will be located on South Mock Street near the intersection of Mock and Heritage Parkway.

The development will have one access into the subdivision with the community building at the front of the property. Duplex units will be constructed on both sides of the street, with each apartment having its own garage. One-bedroom apartments will have 957 square feet and two-bedroom units will have 1,286 square feet.

The large scale development shows landscaping, two detention ponds, two fire hydrants, sidewalks on Mock Street and sidewalks on both sides of the street going into the development.

The project is being built by Cove Creek Development, with partners Jerry Coyle, Mark Beavers and Brad Smith.

Coyle first brought up the idea of a senior living community in July during a public meeting at Prairie Grove Senior Activity and Wellness Center. Many senior adults attended the meeting to find out more about it.

The development is patterned somewhat after a senior living community in Charleston called Skyler Estates.

In all, Cove Creek Development has 15 acres on site. Coyle told planners that he would evaluate Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the project after Phase 1 is completed. For now, plans show a cul-de-sac at the end of the street.

In other action, the planning commission approved a request for a conditional use permit for Marcus Nall to operate a vacation rental cottage in a B-2 zone at 400 S. Mock St.

Nall proposes to convert the existing office building into an overnight rental cottage. The building is next to his facility called Washington County Milling Co. Nall said the cottage mainly would be available for weddings, such as providing a place for a wedding party or bride to get dressed.

Other times, it could be used for visitors needing a place to stay for a short time. He does not plan for it to have long-term occupants but to make it available for people to rent for one or two nights.

Commissioners also approved two other requests for conditional use permits.

Treva Shafer and her son, Bill, were given a conditional use permit so they can live in a house at 106 N. Pittman. The house is in a commercial business zone and has been used commercially for the past six-seven years. A conditional use permit is required to have a single family residence in the zone.

The other request approved was submitted by Mike Fidler for property on Walnut Street. Fidler requested a conditional approval to construct a multi- family residential structure in a B-2 zone. Fidler proposes to build duplex units. He will be required to put in a minimum of six parking spaces for the project.