Developer to revisit design of Sophia Apartments proposed for Florida Road

A new apartment complex on Florida Road ranging between 194-204 units has been proposed by the Dallas-based developer J Street Companies. The proposal is still in its preliminary stages with the city and some details about the number of units and other design aspects could change, but the city is requesting that 16% of units be affordably priced, Mark Williams, city planner said. A public hearing with the Durango Planning Commission is scheduled for April 24, to be followed by another public hearing with Durango City Council on June 20. (Courtesy of the city of Durango)

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A new apartment complex on Florida Road ranging between 194-204 units has been proposed by the Dallas-based developer J Street Companies. The proposal is still in its preliminary stages with the city and some details about the number of units and other design aspects could change, but the city is requesting that 16% of units be affordably priced, Mark Williams, city planner said. A public hearing with the Durango Planning Commission is scheduled for April 24, to be followed by another public hearing with Durango City Council on June 20. (Courtesy of the city of Durango)

The Sophia Apartments project proposed for the 900 block of Florida Road will be redesigned, according to city planners.

The Durango Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of the project at its April 24 meeting, citing numerous resident concerns about the size and scope of the project.

Mark Williams, city planner, said in an email the developer behind the proposal – J Street Cos. – took direction from the planning commission and will redesign the project.

The project proposal was originally scheduled to appear before Durango City Council on June 20, but that hearing has been canceled because J Street Cos. is redesigning its proposal.

Williams said in an email to residents who live near the 900 block of Florida Road the developer is modifying its original plans, which will be reintroduced at a later Planning Commission meeting.

“The city and DFPD (Durango Fire Protection District) will need adequate review prior to scheduling a new hearing, but the applicant's goal is to have a hearing for the new design at the June 26 planning Commission meeting,” Williams said. “The city will follow up with an additional notice about the June 20 council cancellation but wanted to give the neighbors and interested parties a heads up before then.”

cburney@durangoherald.com