The Cottonwood Housing Development’s site plan was approved unanimously Monday, March 18, at Mount Vernon City Council. Council member Stephanie West was absent from the meeting.
The development will add 30 new apartments to the community of Mount Vernon, with a focus on providing space for seniors and low to moderate income.
Developers have been awarded $1.1 million in state Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments funding, as well as an additional $675,000 in low-income housing tax credits. Locally, the project also has $395,000 pledged from the Mount Vernon City council for the public improvements along Glenn Street that will be needed for the project (extending Glenn Street to the east and adding a connection to Business 30.
Planning and zoning administrator Leigh Bradbury noted the only changes the planning and zoning commission needs are to address the heating, ventilation and air conditioning mechanical equipment in the site plan, the need for landscaping and screening for the site plan and the planned exterior lighting for the building.
Bradbury recommended the site plan was approved if those modifications were made by the developers.
“It’s a really classy looking building as imagined by the designers that fills a niche in this community,” said city administrator Chris Nosbisch.
Mayor Tom Wieseler said that the work along Glenn Street will open up that area for future development for other projects as well.
“It’s taken us four years to get to this point and taking action on something the housing commission said was needed in this community,” said council member Scott Rose.