Planned apartment complex passes another hurdle

An apartment complex still in the planning phase passed another hurdle Wednesday when the city's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a preliminary plat and zoning request.

Courtesy photo: Chad Lydick

A new apartment complex planned for Clovis will be modeled after this Tuscon, Ariz. multi-family community.

Chad Lydick, the landowner and a member of Foxwood Development Corp. of Clovis, plans to build a gated multi-family complex complete with pool and clubhouse on Llano Estacado, just east of the round-a-bout.

The proposal is subject to final approval by the city commission.

The project is set to break ground in October, according to Lydick.

"Units could be available within six months of groundbreaking," Lydick said. "It will be completed in two phases, so people will be moving into phase one before phase two is complete."

The 192-unit-complex will span 18 acres and consist of 12 two-story buildings containing one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Each unit will have a private patio and balcony.

Jerry Cass, broker of Town and Country Real Estate, said, "These are all class A apartments, which means they're the nicest you can have. We've never had anything in Clovis like this before."

Lydick said rent for the units will be approximately $1 per square foot.

Cass said an adjacent parcel of land will eventually be home to a shopping center that will include a grocery store and restaurants.

Billy Blunt, whose home adjoins the property, voiced concerns that a multi-family complex would devalue his property.

Cass said these types of communities are common in larger cities and "instead of decreasing value, they increase, because of the quality of life."

The zoning commission raised questions about lighting, privacy, handicap access, emergency vehicle access and traffic flow.

Fire Captain Allan Silvers assured the commission that emergency access was "Not an issue. We don't expect any delays," Silvers said. "It's a pretty common feature."

Lydick addressed privacy concerns of home owners whose property adjoins the planned complex.

"We understand people don't want anyone peeking in their windows," Lydick said. "We're putting a perimeter of trees around the complex." Lydick said the complex will feature screened lighting, to keep glare from neighboring homes.

He also addressed concerns from homeowners over construction site debris blowing into yards. "We will erect an eight feet fence around the entire perimeter of the construction site," Lydick said.

Lydick said he is working with several firms on drainage systems, and access roads and sewer and water lines have been planned.