MONROE - It's a family development project, as father Rick Maliszewski, and sons, Jeff and Ryan, are in it together to create four new homes in an empty lot a half block along 10th Street, just a block west of the downtown Square in Monroe.
The City of Monroe Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit Wednesday, opening the way for the Maliszewski family to proceed with their plans to build a four-unit, two-story townhouse condominium.
Because the building is within the central business district zone, the permit was needed to allow the developers to build residential space on the first floor. "That's the only reason we needed it," Rick said.
Preliminary plans, designed by Ryan, show three of the units will each have three bedrooms and a two-car garage. The fourth unit has two-bedrooms and a one-car garage.
"Getting the parking inside the footprint was no problem," Rick said.
The building will be set back about four feet from the sidewalk, and the site still has a backyard green space 20 feet deep.
Each unit will get a rooftop patio with windows along one side, which will allow sunlight and a view into the unit's loft and down to the first floor.
"It's a modern urban design to use every square foot," Jeff Maliszewski said.
The Maliszewski design intends for the exterior to be mostly brick and nearly maintenance free.
"I think it might be a nice addition (to the neighborhood)," Rick said.
"It's within walking distance to downtown," he added, "to the library just across the street, churches, entertainment, dining, the theater..."
"...the heart of Monroe," Jeff said.
Rick and Jeff, both of Monroe, said developing the site into homes will help meet the demand for downtown living.
Their idea for developing the empty lot started taking shape a year ago. The next step for the family developers is finding an affordable construction contractor, a cost that could make or break the plan. The family has no time frame yet on when they will seek bids for the project.
The City of Monroe Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit Wednesday, opening the way for the Maliszewski family to proceed with their plans to build a four-unit, two-story townhouse condominium.
Because the building is within the central business district zone, the permit was needed to allow the developers to build residential space on the first floor. "That's the only reason we needed it," Rick said.
Preliminary plans, designed by Ryan, show three of the units will each have three bedrooms and a two-car garage. The fourth unit has two-bedrooms and a one-car garage.
"Getting the parking inside the footprint was no problem," Rick said.
The building will be set back about four feet from the sidewalk, and the site still has a backyard green space 20 feet deep.
Each unit will get a rooftop patio with windows along one side, which will allow sunlight and a view into the unit's loft and down to the first floor.
"It's a modern urban design to use every square foot," Jeff Maliszewski said.
The Maliszewski design intends for the exterior to be mostly brick and nearly maintenance free.
"I think it might be a nice addition (to the neighborhood)," Rick said.
"It's within walking distance to downtown," he added, "to the library just across the street, churches, entertainment, dining, the theater..."
"...the heart of Monroe," Jeff said.
Rick and Jeff, both of Monroe, said developing the site into homes will help meet the demand for downtown living.
Their idea for developing the empty lot started taking shape a year ago. The next step for the family developers is finding an affordable construction contractor, a cost that could make or break the plan. The family has no time frame yet on when they will seek bids for the project.