Jefferson City residents voice concern on proposed affordable housing apartments

The Jefferson City Planning and Zoning Commission voted Thursday to recommend approval to City Council of a rezoning request and preliminary plans for an affordable housing apartment complex.

Lohman Investments hopes to build a 40-unit apartment complex on 3 acres of land at Trade Center Parkway, which is just off Old Lohman Road.

At the commission meeting Thursday, several people who live in Westview Heights near the site came forward opposed to the plans.

The developers hope to build a Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) Workforce Development Housing project. The proposed development is aimed at retaining more skilled workers in the community for manufacturing and similar jobs.

The land was owned by Modine Manufacturing and originally intended to be used for industrial purposes. Some of the nearby land was sold off in the 2008 recession and has since been turned into other housing and commercial developments.

Nearby residents voiced concerns, including a potential drop in property values, additional traffic, the lack of nearby police and fire protection and potential overcrowding at the nearby school.

“Lawson Elementary is a huge issue for me — my son currently attends there,” said Angela Boyer, who lives behind the proposed development. “When I mentioned to teachers there, you know, what are your thoughts on these apartment complexes going in? ‘We don’t have room.'”

One member on the commission, Jack Deeken, voted against the motions Thursday. Deeken said he believed the community needed more jobs, not housing for jobs. He also said he did not think the development would be a good fit for the area.

The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the zoning change, as well as the initial plans at its meeting on July 17.

The developer’s final plans must then go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission.