James Coburn
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND —
Edmond soon may have the state’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building certification apartment program, said Gary Brooks, president and CEO of Cornerstone Development.
The property is on the north side of Second Street, about three-quarters of a mile east of Bryant Avenue. Together, the parcels contain 8.4 acres, Mayor Patrice Douglas said.
LEED provides a green rating system to advance energy and material efficiency and sustainability for new construction and for existing buildings.
A request to rezone two separate parcels for a proposed apartment development was approved 5-0 this week by the Edmond City Council.
Another goal is for the development to connect with the Edmond Trails, Brooks said. LEED promotes building on sites that connect to the community with alternative public transportation access.
Attorney Randel Shadid representing Cornerstone-Legend LLC asked for high density multi-family zoning while preserving the general commercial PUD and then submit a site plan. The zoning of current owners would be protected for their commercial development PUD zoning if for some reason the high density multi-family use for the 200-unit project does not develop, Shadid said.
“We expect to have a site plan before you shortly and really expect to be under construction by February,” Shadid said. No code variances will be part of the site plan, he added.
Freddie’s Frozen Custard is south of a long and narrow strip of land that it has agreed to sell, said Bob Schiermeyer, city planner. The developer plans to use the tract as open space instead of adding 80 more apartments there, Shadid said.
To the north of the parcels is the proposed Arbor Creek Apartments. Undeveloped, commercially zoned property is east of the area. Legacy Wood Apartments, 328 units, is west of the parcels.
“This will be compatible to Legacy Woods. The rents will be $800 to $1,400 a month,” Shadid said.
Architect Troy Downing said the apartments will include 96 one-bedroom units with one bath, 16 one-bedroom units with a 1.5 bath, 36 units with two bedrooms and two baths, and 40 larger units with two bedrooms and two baths.
“We’ll have 12-three bedroom, two-bath units in the complex,” Downing said.
City Councilwoman Elizabeth Waner recommended that the developer consider connecting the apartments to Arbor Place by the use of a bridge.
City Councilman David Miller said he does not favor more curb cuts made on Second Street. Traffic improvements will need to be made on Vista Lane for apartment access, Shadid said. An emergency gate for the Fire Department may be linked to the Freddie’s Frozen Custard.
“This has to be worked out with Freddie’s because we’re coming through their property,” Shadid said.
City Councilman Charles Lamb said approval of the project benefits the city by having three parcels come together for a project with light density.
“I like the feature of cutting down curb cuts and putting parcels together,” Lamb said.
jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114
