Proposed apartments could ful?ll off-campus housing need in Chapel Hill

A new proposed development could help Chapel Hill meet a climbing demand for student housing that is close to campus.

Trinitas Ventures, a development company based in Lafayette, Ind., has submitted concept plans for a seven-story apartment complex to be located at 602 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. — only a few minutes from downtown and the University’s campus.

Travis Vencel, the director of site acquisition and planning for Trinitas Ventures, said the apartments would be oriented to University students, with prices ranging from about $500 to $800 a month per bedroom.

One room units in nearby Northampton Plaza apartments rent for $640 per month according to a heelshousing.com listing.

“The units are all designed with large common areas and private bedrooms, each with its own bathroom,” he said.

Vencel said the development will also include a clubhouse, pool and recreation room.

Demand for housing

Though it has a long way to go before approval, Vencel and some students say the Trinitas development could fulfill a need.

Students said they often have to be put on waiting lists for apartments and houses if they decide to live off-campus. Many said they feel that the additional apartments would be popular, considering demand.

Freshman Catherine Bracken said she thinks the convenience of being close to campus will draw in students.

“Since parking on-campus is such a nightmare, it would be nice to live somewhere off campus that is so close to the bus lines,” she said.

Road to approval

Though some students support the extra housing the development would provide, the complex could face challenges with approval because of its proposed height.

That height violates the towns Land Use Management Ordinance, which sets specifications for new developments.

In order to be built as planned, Trinitas will have to be approved for a special use permit.

Kay Pearlstein, a senior planner for the Chapel Hill planning department, said the town is reviewing the concept plan now, and the next step toward getting needed permits is to present the plan to the Town ?Council. The council will discuss the Trinitas concept plan at a public hearing Feb. 20.

Vencel said he is hopeful that the company will reach an agreement with the town.

“The site that is directly adjacent to ours also violates the zoning specifications,” he said. “We have attempted to design a project that limits the impact on the environment as well as providing for a density that meets the needs of the area.”

Following concept plan approval, Vencel said Trinitas hopes to submit an application and special use permit for February 2013 approval. The group hopes to begin construction in spring of 2013 and open in fall of 2014.

“Right now we’re just in the planning stages and only looking to hear feedback on the concept plan,” Vencel said.

“But we are very optimistic about the future of this project.”

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