Another housing development is on its way to Killeen.
The Killeen City Council approved an ordinance to rezone approximately 3.6 acres on Illinois Avenue from business to residential at the council meeting on Tuesday evening. The rezoning paves the way for Avanti Legacy Westwood and Madhouse Development to close on the property and began construction.
Councilman Riakos Adams asked Michael Tamez, vice president of development for Madhouse, what the earliest possible date the project would break ground was. Tamez said, “We are incentivized to try and close and break ground in March.” The incentivization comes from the development receiving a grant from the state of Texas to support the project that has rules attached to it.
The location of the development, addressed 3001 Illinois Ave., is a short distance east of the Killeen Mall, behind Home Depot. Much like Avanti’s other Killeen development, which is located west of North W.S. Young Drive, the project is aimed at elderly individuals who are at least 55 years old.
The new complex is planned to include 102 units and 107 parking spaces. It will be four stories tall.
The unit will include 51 canopy trees and more than 300 shrubs. There will also be a wall along two borders of the property to serve as a buffer between the apartment complex and the neighboring houses. It will also include at least two picnic areas for outdoor recreation.
The front of the complex will be situated along the road line with parking in the back. Ramon Alvarez, council member, said, “Moving these buildings up towards the road absolutely makes sense.”
As part of the city’s approval of the project, certain exceptions were made to the city’s ordinances. For example, a property like the development would typically require 171 parking spaces and the city typically does not allow four-story buildings of this type.
A public hearing was held prior to approving the ordinance and it received mixed feedback from residents. One was adamantly in support of it while others raised concerns about the desirability of the units and whether or not it would have sidewalks.
Alvarez responded to the concerns presented by residents. He said sidewalks are not usually including in building plans, but will be present and emphasized the importance of trusting city experts on the subject. Both city staff and the planning and zoning commission recommended voting in favor of the ordinance.
As to the desirability of the units, Alvarez said, “If no one likes the units, they’re not going to rent them.” He followed that statement by indicating he expects the units to be rented.
The council broadly supported the project with Councilman Jose Segarra saying, “This is a wonderful project,” while Adams said he liked it.
