By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(Feb. 13, 2020) A request by Homes for America’s motion variances allowing fewer parking spaces and a replacement building was approved by the Berlin Board of Appeals last Wednesday.

By Morgan Pilz
This property located on 115 Flower Street will be demolished and rebuilt into a 12-unit apartment after the owners – Homes for America – received approval from the Berlin Board of Appeals on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Representatives of the nonprofit development company asked the board for variances for its rental communities on 113 and 115 Flower Street, adjacent to Henry Park. The buildings — one with 31 units and other with 11 — were built in 1982.

The organization plans to demolish 115 Flower Street, rebuild it and create an additional apartment unit, giving it 12 units instead. Homes for America bought the properties in 2001 and are renovating them.

The first variance asked for parking for 57 spaces for 40 apartment units, going against the standard 80 (two spaces per unit). Company representatives Diana Talios and Casey Rauch told the board that the existing parking has been underused for several years.

“There are 53 spaces currently [for 113 Flower Street], and it’s been noted that those spaces are very rarely … ever at capacity,” Rauch said. “Keeping that in mind, we’re adding four spaces. I think it’s safe to say that parking should not be an issue.”

For the new project, Rauch and Talios plan to combine the parking spaces for the complexes instead of having them separated as they are currently.

A second variance request was for an additional unit to be added to the new building, which is currently at 4,435 square feet, bringing its total to 4,474 square feet.

“In order to make the property financially feasible, we need to rebuild the one that is being demolished with the same number of units or close to so that the property will be able to support and work for the budget overall to be able to [support] the combined renovation and redevelopment of the community,” Talios said.

Chairman Joe Moore asked the representatives if they would be in a position to redevelop the property without the variance, and the responded they would not.

Rauch and Talios emphasized the importance of improving the community after receiving many reports of leaking pipes, insects and equipment failure among other complaints, with Planning Director Dave Engelhart confirming the severity of the problems.

During the demolition of the 115 Flower Street property, residents will be relocated and have been informed of the impending construction, Rauch said.

The organization plans to overhaul the property on 115 Flower Street to make it more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. It also will upgrade 113 Flower Street with a new roof, new kitchens, HVAC systems and other necessities. Homes for America estimates the investment so far has been $12 million.

Currently, there is a third party management system in place, but once the project is completed, Homes for America plans to have a property manager on site and promises there will be no increase in rents.