- DFW Ultraground
- Posts
- Arlington | 160-Unit Senior Multifamily
Arlington | 160-Unit Senior Multifamily
4/17/24 | 498 Debbie Lane
Welcome to Ultraground. We listen for commissioners reacting negatively to designs.
P&Z April 17, 2024
District: 3 | Southern Arlington
160-Unit Senior Multifamily | 498 Debbie Ln | Postponed
You saved: 1h 36m
DISTRICT: 3
498 Debbie Lane 498 Debbie Ln
Southern Arlington | 10.73 Acres | 128-160 Units | Postponed
Local doctor-turned-developer Dr. Imran Rajwani is looking to rezone 10.73 acres from Community Commercial (CC) and Residential Estates (RE) to Planned Development (PD) for a 128 to 160-unit Assisted Living Facility. The plan proposes 8 separate buildings with anywhere from 16 to 20 units each to create an “intimate” and “homelike” environment.
But, Commissions gave the developer some of the things they did right and the things they did wrong. We’ve pulled those together for you.
Wrong |
|---|
No prior meeting with neighbors or the district’s Commissioner. |
Underwhelming design "looks like sheds." |
No initial fence between site and future commercial. |
Unclear plans for two future structures. |
Right |
|---|
Made a strong case for product demand backed by data. |
Unique "village" model with “homelike” environment. |
Agreed to meet with Commissioner and neighbors. |
Considered adding fence to address safety. |
Lewisville-based Rajwani presented a compelling case for the need for assisted living in Arlington, citing statistics that 10,000 people are turning 65 per day in the U.S. His independent market analysis showed that by 2028, there will be demand for 237 assisted living units and 163 memory care units within a 10-mile radius of the site. This project will provide 96 assisted living and approximately 64 memory care units.
The development aims to create an intimate, homelike environment with 10 small "villas" of 16 beds each. Dr. Rajwani explained this will create a social component that will include proximity to intimate families with up to 16 residents in one unit.
However, some concerns were raised by the commissioners. Commissioner Finley noted the applicant did not meet with neighbors, stating:
‟I think developers should have enough respect and courtesy for those that are going to be living around their development to, at least, get to know the neighborhood.
She also felt the proposed elevations were underwhelming, commenting:
‟It doesn't ‘wow’ me. It kind of just looks like a bunch of sheds, and I, for our district out there, I really would prefer to have something nicer than what they're proposing.
There were also questions about the lack of fencing between the site and adjacent future commercial development. Commissioner Nuñez said:
‟I like your project, I like the concept, I like everything about it except this one issue: I don't think that our citizens who are going to be living in here need to have an open barrier with all those young families that are going to wander up and down that road and get into trouble.
Ultimately, the Commission voted 8-0 to continue the case until May 15th to allow the applicant time to meet with Commissioner Finley and surrounding neighbors. The applicant agreed to consider adding a fence along the eastern property line as well.
In summary, while the Commission was receptive to the concept and recognized the need for senior housing, concerns about neighborhood engagement and design details led them to postpone the case.
Developer: Dr. Imran Rajwani Phone: (877) 572-6414, Aslam Hemani Email: [email protected]
Staff Report: PD24-1
Project Plans: PD24-1 Plan
Thank you for being a part of Ultraground.
How was this report? |
Reply