Update: Junker project on W. Catawba set for minor changes
The Junker parcel lies between Junker Drive and Harborview facing W. Catawba
July 5. The Junker project—a multi family housing proposal whose approval shook local politics two years ago—may undergo changes from what was approved by the Town Board. However, the total number of units does not change under the revision being considered by the developer.
“The most substantive change is conversion of the two traditional multifamily buildings fronting on West Catawba Avenue to townhome-style buildings,” said Cornelius Planning Director Rox Burhans. “The townhome-style buildings, which will house about 26 units, will be served by a private alley,” Burhans said.
With this change, a large open space will be created at the intersection of Junker Drive and West Catawba. The property currently includes the White House Gardens business.
There are 195 units in the old plan as well as the new plan.
Burhans said the units that are a part of the change will continue to be for rent and that there is no increase in the overall unit count of the project.
Background
The project was originally proposed by developer Jake Palillo but soon after the Town Board approved the rezoning in 2021. Developer Jamie Rolewicz announced that he was taking over the project with Charlottesville, Va.-based Castle Development Partners, which specializes in the development and acquisition of upscale apartment communities as well as moderately priced workforce housing.
The town’s Predevelopment Review Committee recently reviewed the changes, with a generally positive feedback on the concept. They especially noted the improved aesthetics with the building change and liked the additional (private) open space.
The developer is currently making some minor refinements to the concept to maintain ordinance compliance as part of the administrative amendment process. If those refinements are successfully completed there will be no need for another round of public hearings.
Election issue
The original project was approved in June 2021, but not before a large number of residents voiced their opposition to the project. The final vote on the project was 4-1, with only Commissioner Denis Bilodeau opposed.
Three commissioners who voted for the project—Tricia Sisson, Thurman Ross and Michael Miltich—lost their re-election bids five months later in November 2021.
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Stop building until you have the infrastructure
COMPLETED ! INSANE TRAFFIC continues…
Listen to your citizens, please.
I won’t even elaborate how unsafe Jetton Road
is every July 4th with the Peninsula fireworks.
Unconscionable! Fire trucks and ambulances
have no safe road to traverse in case of emergencies
for about 4 + hours. Not to mention public safety
crossing Jetton! I watched many people simply crossing
Jetton not even looking at the cars traveling on
Jetton. Walkers have the same responsibility
to keep themselves safe.
Yes, pedestrians should be more responsible. In many cases, hey Davidson,talkin’ to you, people just walk out into the road. I never assume a vehicle is going to stop if I am on foot.
And yes, of course, STOP building stuff until infrastructure catches up. That may inconvenience a developer but all of us who live her are inconvenienced every, single, day
Great input, Elaine! You are speaking out the way so many of us feel about what is going on to hinder safety and everyday commuting in “our once better managed” town. What you had to say is not falling on deaf ears. Thank you!
I agree with the other comments re traffic but also from the plans I have seen, the development is not going to fit in with the existing look of Catawba Avenue and in a short number of years will be an eyesore and quickly diminish.