Council Approves Rezoning For Affordable Housing Development, No Public Comment On Budget

The full City-County Council met Monday night and moved along budgets for the city, police, fire and local municipal corporations.

No one from the public had any comments on the proposed $1.3 billion operational budget that will receive a final vote next month. 

Most of the meeting was taken up by a rezoning case for a mixed-use, affordable housing development on the near northside called Citizens Park.

The three story building would have about 100 apartments. Developer Eric Armstrong said the goal is to increase housing opportunities.

“Citizens Park will give the residents and their family a home with direct access to schools and colleges, parks, bike trails, churches and retail along our expanding transit lines,” Armstrong said.

Some residents supported the project and the desire to improve stock.  Others, including Heidi Kent, spoke out against the project and said the complex doesn’t make sense.

“The size, the footprint and density of the building is honestly obnoxious for the area,” Kent said.

The council voted to allow the development project to proceed. The apartments would be available to residents earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income.