BYRON -- City Council gave its unanimous approval Monday to the idea of adding apartments to a subdivision of single family homes along the Ga. 247 Connector.

Peachtree Five Capital, LLC, owners and developers of Hawks Ridge subdivision near the new Peach Regional Medical Center, sought approval of their concept of adding apartments to the subdivision in order to help secure HUD loans for the project.

B.J. Walker of Peachtree Five Capital told council the apartments would be placed on the east side of the 35-acre development, with single-family dwellings to the west. He said the two parts of the development would share the single existing means of entry and exit onto the Ga. 247 Connector.

Walker said 160 to 170 single-family dwellings are planned in the subdivision with just over 60 already built.

He said Peachtree Five Capital plans to build 172 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in a first phase of developing multi-use dwellings. He said the apartments would be in three-story units and include a pool and clubhouse.

Walker called the planned facility an “upscale” apartment complex with units renting from $800 to $900.

Peachtree Five Capital received an endorsement for the plan from the Byron Planning and Zoning Commission, but Walker appeared before council to explain the plan to council members because they must approve planning and zoning recommendations.

The Hawks Ridge subdivision is already zoned R-3 which allows for both single-family and multi-use, apartment-style dwellings.

In other business Monday, council approved a plan to seek a Rural Business Enterprise Grant to build restroom facilities on Jailhouse Alley near Jailhouse Alley Park.

Council also agreed to pay 25-percent in matching funds.

Though no matching funds are required to seek the grant, council was told by Courtney Verdier of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission that agreeing to supply matching funds increased the chances of winning grant money.

Council members agreed to the 25-percent figure but balked at an estimated potential cost of $100,000 for a two-bathroom facility that is just over 130 square feet.

Councilman Michael Chidester said many builders could build an entire home for $100,000.

Council approved the measure without a dissenting vote but asked that better estimates be obtained before the project gets final approval.

Contact Michael W. Pannell at mwppannell@gmail.com.