April 18, 2023 |
Photo – Drawing of Saratoga Highlands Condominium – Courtesy Jon Nelson
A former Saratoga councilman will add much-needed lower cost homes to the town.
During April’s Saratoga planning commission meeting, Jon Nelson of North Fork Engineering presented preliminary plans to construct a $10 million, two-building apartment complex south of Shively Field. Nelson explained to the commission where he wants to build the Saratoga Highlands Condominium Subdivision.
Nelson said the area was mapped out, or platted, for multi-family housing units in the early 2000’s. Only seven single-family homes have been built in the past two decades. Nelson said his apartment complex would add nearly 50 extra homes to town.
According to the preliminary plans, each building will contain six one-bedroom units. The remainder of the floor space will be taken up by two-bedroom flats. Nelson said 12 of the 18 available two-bedroom apartments would be corner units. He said the corner units would have better views, but less square footage than the center suites.
Nelson said he would apply for permits for both buildings at the same time, but would only construct one, at first. He said he hopes to have the first condominium completed by next year. The second building would be constructed as needed.
Nelson said the seven homes already on the site are part of a Homeowner’s Association, or HOA. He said the new condos will also contribute to the HOA for general maintenance and snow shoveling.
Nelson said the project is too early in the development to know if the units will be rented out or sold as individual condos. However, Nelson said he is aware of the town’s need for low-cost housing and will try to price the homes accordingly.
Nelson said the 48-unit Saratoga Highlands Condominium Subdivision has the potential to generate $2.4 million in property taxes over 15 years. Construction is slated to begin in 2024.
