Weddington Road affordable apartments being considered again

The city of Charlotte is recommending low-income apartments on Weddington Road receive $3.15 million in public money, in the second attempt to build the controversial project.

The money would come from the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which is used to support subsidized housing throughout Charlotte.

The Weddington Road apartments were approved in a highly contentious rezoning in January 2014. The city has long had a goal of bringing affordable housing to more affluent areas, and a majority of council members have supported the 70-unit project.

After the rezoning, council members voted to give the Weddington Road apartments $1 million from the Housing Trust Fund in public money in August 2014. But the project didn’t receive state tax credits last year, meaning it couldn’t move forward.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, which has proposed the project, is trying again. The total cost of the project would be just under $11 million.

Pamela Wideman, with the city’s Neighborhood and Business Services department, said the partnership is asking for more public money – the increase from $1 million to $3.15 million – because its method of financing requires up-front money.

City Council will vote on the Weddington Road project and several others on April 25.

In addition to Weddington Road, another proposed project has divided council members: The Cedarwood Apartments at 7700 Harrisburg Road.

In 2014, council members voted against giving that project – then known as Settler’s Woods – money from the Housing Trust Fund.

But developer Connelly Development NC has brought the project back. Two years ago, it was going to be built for families. This time it’s being marketed for seniors.

Subsidized apartments for seniors usually garner more support from elected officials. But a council committee recently voted unanimously against the proposed Cedarwood Apartments.

Council member John Autry, who represents the area, said residents want more market-rate housing.

“We would have to see something different, before the citizens could feel like they could have more affordable housing,” he said.

Other council members argued Monday that the project would improve the area.

“Senior housing is much preferred,” said council member Patsy Kinsey. “Seniors don’t cause problems.”

Cedarwood Apartments has asked the city for $1.32 million. The total cost of the project is $8.4 million.

Four other projects have been recommended for Housing Trust Fund money: 30 apartments in Cherry; 39 apartments on Mount Holly-Huntersville Road; 82 apartments on Beatties Ford Road; and 104 apartments on Tuckaseegee Road.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Weddington Road affordable apartments being considered again."