Friday's Business Journal printed a rendering of the new development to be built on the southeast corner of 68th and Wells. The project in its present form was first approved in
August 2005 and finally got the go-ahead signal.
It's an interesting looking building that I think will fit well in the neighborhood. In fact, it will add to the village character
and the potential for foot traffic that should help businesses like the wonderful La Tarte across the street.
Originally, the developer, Tosan William Ibach, proposed 20 units on the 15,000 square foot lot. That would, as the neighbors objected, have been a nightmare. The current plan is for 12 units, twice as many as the neighbors proposed, but a good compromise.
Do you think that's the plan all along, to come in with a top-heavy plan and negotiate down to a moderate, appropriate size? That happened on 115th Street near Watertown Plan Road, where Underwood Station Apartments are now.
I don't remember the original proposal, but I think it was for a building about three times as large as the one actually built. The neighbors rallied, not to prevent all development but to make sure it was development that made sense. And we prevailed.
Maybe it's an effective way to build neighborhoods, threatening the character of the place and letting neighbors rally to its defense. But wouldn't you think there'd be some kind of prevailing guidelines for building height relative to the neighboring buildings--and maximum density in relation to the size of the site and surrounding buildings?
It just might cut a lot of unnecessary animosity and speed things up.
I'm thinking we must
like all that drama. Or someone must. . .
