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Posted on Thu, Jan 3, 2013 : 7:45 p.m.

515 N. Fifth Ave. condo project wins approval from Ann Arbor Planning Commission

By Ryan J. Stanton

515_N_Fifth_Ave_120412_front.jpg

A front elevation rendering of the proposed project at 515 N. Fifth Ave.

Bowers + Associates

A proposal to demolish a two-story house on North Fifth Avenue near Kerrytown and build a three-story condo and apartment building passed its first test Thursday night.

The Ann Arbor Planning Commission voted 7-0 to forward the project on to the City Council with a recommendation for approval.

Commissioners Ken Clein and Wendy Woods were absent.

Some neighborhood residents indicated previously they disliked the proposal, which they don't think fits the scale and character of the neighborhood, but no one was there to speak against the project Tuesday night. It quickly received approval from the commission.

A three-unit rental house is currently situated on the site at 515 N. Fifth Ave., just north of East Kingsley Street. The property has a large and underutilized parking lot adjacent to the house.

To maximize the potential of the site, property owner Robert Burskey is proposing to demolish the existing two-story house and build a three-story, 8,400-square-foot multi-family building with two condos and two apartments. Each unit would include two bedrooms.

The project is estimated to cost $925,500.

The proposed building height is 29 feet, which is one foot shorter than the maximum permitted and four feet taller than what's there now.

Scott Bowers, the architect for the project, appeared Thursday night on behalf of his clients, whom he previously described as a couple looking to build their retirement nest.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Comments

Lets Get Real

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 3:57 p.m.

Fits the character of the neighborhood.

cindy1

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.

Anyone interested, for whatever reason, in development issues will want to view the documentary, The Greenest Building. Ann Arbor Docu Fest recently screened it - it's excellent. Made in 2012 in Portland, OR, about an hour long. http://thegreenestbuildingmovie.com/The_Greenest_Building/Home.html

KMHall

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.

The demand for quality housing in that area is large. More density is good for the green belt and for a lively downtown.

sellers

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.

Yes, I just hear of the greenbelt near London and folks there love it - and it did drive up prices.

alan

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 11:51 a.m.

Very unclear. "Condominium" is a form of ownership. I assume that he's not going to sell two units and rent the other two so what is going on? Is he selling all four units or did you mean that he will build two townhouses and two single floor units? If he's renting 8 bedrooms that cost $925K to build I wish him luck covering cost.

Fordie

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 1:45 p.m.

If I'm remembering correctly from the other articles, he's selling one, renting two and living in one.

mike gatti

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 2 a.m.

Build baby Build.

JRW

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 1:29 a.m.

Too massive for the neighborhood.