Batavia cool to request for apartment building

Batavia aldermen don't like a plan to build a two-story 12-unit apartment building at 1600 W. Wilson St.

They voted 7-4 at a committee meeting Monday against a request for variances for the project, which would be on a parcel between Spuhler and Independence drives.

Aldermen Dan Chanzit and Michael O'Brien were absent.

The city is selling the parcel, which used to have a water tower.

SJR Inc. bid $88,000 for the half-acre site, with the proviso it be given permission to build 12 units.

The zoning currently allows nine units.

SJR is asking for variances, including reduction in how far the building is set back from the streets and in the amount of landscaping and open space required.

Residents of Spuhler and Feece Drive protested, saying the building was too large for the site and did not fit in with the neighborhood. To the east are single-family detached houses. To the south are four-unit townhouses. To the west is commercial land, including fast-food restaurants.

The builder, Arney Silvestri, contends that it isn't financially feasible to build fewer units, given the purchase price and about $100,000 in city fees he will have to pay. Silvestri said the apartments would rent for about $900 for a one-bedroom and $1,000 for a two-bedroom.

The city can't lower the purchase price because state law prohibits a city from selling land for less than 80 percent of its appraised value. The land was appraised at $110,000.

It could offer a discount on the fees, including those charged for building permits and utility connections.

Alderman Dave Brown cautioned against doing that without "serious discussion," noting the city had recently increased its fees, and is trying to find money for its proposed budget.

The measure will receive a binding city council vote Monday.