City Council approves apartment complex
Published 8:16 am Friday, October 17, 2014
The Lake Charles City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposal for construction of a 15-unit apartment complex in the Charpentier Historic District.
The Lake Charles Historic Preservation Commission in August deferred the proposal, to build on the south side of Kirby Street’s 700 block, saying it needed more parking.
The developer made the parking adjustments and went back to the commission in September, but was denied. The City Council on Wednesday held a public hearing to review the appeal of that denial.
Council members corrected some project details, including required parking per unit; a screen for a dumpster; landscaping along the borders; more greenspace; and the installation of a 6-foot privacy fence.
“We always talk about walkability and greenspace, then we require all this parking lot,” councilman Mark Eckard said.
“I think originally they came looking for a variance on the parking for 1 1/2 spaces instead of two. That was not a bad idea because you can’t have it both ways. If you want the greenspace then you can’t require them to put so much concrete.”
The project, which would cost more than $1 million, would comprise two floors of single-family units. The developer would market to single professionals, and the rent would be at least $800 a month, said lead project architect Barry King of King Architects in Westlake.
Michael Hickman, who lives on Kirby Lane, behind the project site, said other apartment complexes near his home already create noise and that the addition of another catering to single residents would only exacerbate the problem.
“It is in the historic district,” Hickman said. “You’re worried about parking and all that. Think about that (noise) as well.”
Chris Khoury, a member of the Downtown Development Authority, said the complex could benefit the downtown area. He said the complex will reside in a mixed-use area, meaning it will conform with what’s already there. He said that attracting young, single residents to the downtown area is good for Lake Charles.
“There was a point made about it being one-bedroom units. I think that’s great. Young people are what bring culture to a downtown,” Khoury said.
“That’s what we’re trying to obtain with all these infrastructure investments. In my opinion, this is exactly what downtown needs.”