New Annapolis homes are on their way!

Bozzuto Gets a Boost on West St.

A group of new townhouses and singles on West Street in Annapolis is dependent on a zoning text now on its way to the City Council.

The Bozzuto Group has the former headquarters of the Capital Newspaper under contract, with plans for 23 townhouses and seven singles. But it says the project is only feasible if it isn’t required to build first-floor retail. So far, the city Planning Commission agrees.

In recent deliberations, the commission agreed that the ordinance for the MX zone should be amended to remove the retail requirement for single-family and townhouse developments. The MX was passed in 2005 to bring mixed uses to the Inner West Street corridor. The City was hoping it would help fill in the gaps between the two circles on West Street – Church at the historic end and Westgate at Park Place.

But since the rationale for first-floor retail is to ‘enliven the street,’ the Commission found that houses fronting on the street could serve the same purpose as retail. "The success of Inner West Street is as much dependent on getting people on the street as it is on…redevelopment," the Commission found.

Previous contract purchaser Madison Homes had subdivided part of the parcel at West Street for seven singles. Bozzuto will keep that part of the plan intact. But the Greenbelt developer will replace Madison’s planned condos with 23 fee-simple townhouses.  Will keep you posted on the progress.

 

As a post note:  I have a buyer looking for a 4+ bedroom, 2.5 bath, two story w/basement in the Broadneck elementary school district. They are flexible on the settlement date, however can settle as soon as August 3, 2011.  Give me a call at 410-224-4999 if you can help.  John     www.JohnCollinsGroup.com