The Pikes Peak Badger

Manitou Springs panel to review plan for 50 affordable apartments Oct. 14

The Planning Commission will consider the proposal; City Council would make the final decision on the development plan.

El Paso County
Site plan submitted for the 123 Manitou Avenue proposal, showing building footprints and the property layout; fine labels and measurements are difficult to read.
Site plan submitted for the 123 Manitou Avenue proposal, showing building footprints and the property layout; fine labels and measurements are difficult to read.

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The Manitou Springs Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a plan for 50 affordable apartments at 123 Manitou Avenue on Oct. 14. City Council would make the final decision on the development plan, according to the staff report

The commission agenda lists the review. The proposed apartments would be built on the former La Fon Motel site and include 20 one-bedroom, 12 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom homes. The applicant says the apartments would serve households earning no more than 60% of area median income, with 10 units at 30%, four at 40%, 10 at 50% and 26 at 60%.

Planning staff recommends that the commission recommend approval to City Council, subject to changes to exterior lighting, landscaping, grading and retaining-wall plans, and stormwater maintenance documentation.

The applicant says the project received a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award, has conditional approval for Colorado Department of Housing funding and has a commitment from the El Paso County Housing Trust Fund. The development narrative describes the apartments as affordable under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards but does not list rents. It also does not say whether the state or county funding has closed or been disbursed.