Ross OKs upscale apartments

Ross commissioners have approved another upscale apartment complex in the township.

Commissioners on May 17 granted a conditional use to Real Estate Development Associates for a 253-unit “high end” building off Perrysville Avenue near Martorelli Stadium.

They also rezoned the four parcels along Winter Avenue bought by the developer to C1 to match the rest of the development’s zoning. Apartments are a conditional use in the commercialdistrict.

Dan Santoro, an engineer for the project, told commissioners that purchasing the Winter Avenue homes allows them to pull the development more to the south and away from the residential neighborhoods to the north of the property.

“We are keeping a significant amount of the property as open space,” he said. “We think this fits really nicely within the neighborhood.”

The developer will also make improvements along Perrysville Avenue to allow easier access to the apartments. The center turning lane that is currently there for the Port Authority park-nride lot will be extended to the apartmentproperty.

The five-story building willwrap around a five-story parking garage so the garage is not visible. There will be amenities such as a courtyard, clubhouse and gym, and maybe a pool. “Amenities are a big part of this program,” said developer Larry Dorsch.

Real Estate Development Associates is currently building The Cosmopolitan, an upscale apartment building near Ross Park Mall.

In other business, police Chief Joseph Ley urged residents to call 911 if they hear anything suspicious overnight. Several mailboxes have been vandalized recently, but the residents have not called policeuntil morning.

“I want to advise them to call when hear the noise,” he said. “911 is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”