The College Park City Council last night unanimously approved a preliminary plan for a subdivision that would allow the owner of the University View to construct a second building on his property, resolving concerns that threatened to delay the student housing project.
City planners wanted developers to make slight changes to Freshman Connection at University Outlook - a 13-story, 517-bed apartment building - but developers said the changes would require them to resubmit the construction plans.
The developers agreed to testify to support the city's requested changes, the most significant of which was shifting the property line back about 18 inches to accommodate county rules, to the county planning board, thereby avoiding the lengthy process of re-submitting plans.
Otis Warren, owner of the University View and the new Outlook project, said he hopes to break ground on the new building in three weeks. It is set to be built in the space between the View's driveway and Route 1.
District 2 Councilman Jack Perry, who formally motioned for the city to accept the Outlook's plans, said he hoped the project could soon relieve the area's student housing crunch.
"Let's go on and get those beds. I want those students gone from the neighborhoods," Perry said.
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