A company called Echelon Resources wants to convert a portion of a former tire factory in Scottsville to apartments as their latest effort to redevelop a historic property.
“The redevelopment of such sites reinvigorate the surrounding neighborhoods, and doing so transforms what were once financial negatives to become healthy financial contributors to their communities,” reads the application for a rezoning and a special use permit.
The project has the title Scottsville Lofts and Echelon Resources is seeking to create 205 units. As part of the rezoning, they are conditioning the payment of $200,000 to the Town of Scottsville for the creation of a sidewalk on Bird Street or some other future project. They’re also willing to set aside 20 percent of apartment units to be affordable to people or households with an annual income below the 60 percent median for a ten year period.
The Scottsville Planning Commission will hold first reading of the item tonight but the public hearing won’t be held until October 3.
Staff is recommending approval, though they note the potential for traffic congestion and a lack of non-residential uses.
“The building has a history of intensive use (and traffic) and was the town’s economic engine for decades,” reads the staff report. “The renovation plan appears sound and brings massive new investment and vitality to the community.”
The land is currently zoned for Heavy Industrial. The factory was built in 1944 and was for many years the main economic engine in Scottsville but closed in 2009. Attempts were made to find a new industry to take over the space, but the site’s distance from major highways made it a poor candidate.
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