California-based Lincoln Avenue Communities, a low-income housing developer behind several Madison projects, secured a city permit this week for a five-story apartment building near the Verona Road and Beltline highway intersection, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The developer recently completed the nearby Derby Apartments and is currently building a large pair of apartment buildings on the east side’s former Oscar Mayer plant site.
The latest plans would replace two existing buildings at 4506 and 4514 Verona Road — a restaurant-turned-office building and auto repair facility, respectively — with 93 income-restricted housing units and 76 underground parking stalls. The project was approved by Madison’s Plan Commission on Monday.
The development has drawn some skepticism from some neighbors and city planning staff because the site, situated between two major thoroughfares and a number of commercial properties, is not planned for residential development. It reportedly has limited pedestrian access and high levels of highway noise and vehicle emissions.
In a seven-page letter, the developer detailed its commitment to health and safety and expressed confidence in the site’s accessibility to public services. The current zoning of the site permits residential uses under certain circumstances.
