By Kenna Griffin
Staff Writer

EDMOND - A developer proposing an upscale apartment complex in Edmond will ask for the planning commission's approval later this month.

Renaissance Architects will request on Feb. 20 a special use permit for a 44-unit apartment complex proposed for Second and Coltrane. The apartments will be built next to the Best Western hotel.

The firm's principal architect Socrates Lazaridis, said he has completed renderings of the development and engineering work.

Obtaining the commission's approval is the next step in the project, he said.

City planner Bob Schiermeyer said the land is already zoned commercial, but, because the proposed development is an apartment complex, a special use permit is required.

There is no name for the development yet, Lazaridis said.

The Second and Coltrane site was chosen for the complex after a group of investors acquired the entire site along with the Best Western, Lazaridis said.

"This was the remaining piece of land," he said. "We developed it and we realized that we could put apartments there that will improve the aesthetics of that area."

Lazaridis said the complex will include one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Each two-story apartment will have a fireplace. There will be a decorative pond in front of the complex's stone-faced buildings.

"It's an upscale project," he said. "It's a beautiful design. We take pride in what we do in our architecture."

A Community Connections meeting was hosted in November for residents to voice their concerns with the development, said Jan Ramseyer-Fees, Community Connections coordinator.

Ramseyer-Fees said there was a small turnout for the meeting. Concerns expressed included traffic created by the development and dirt drainoff.

Lazaridis said the concerns expressed at the meeting were "not anything unusual."

"They had questions about the project and they wanted to understand the project," he said. "We're glad to discuss and respond to their inquiries."

Lazaridis said color renderings and a site plan were presented at the meeting.

Ramseyer-Fees said she expects some residents to be at the planning commission meeting to protest the development.

Lazaridis said the project will improve the area.

"I believe it's going to enhance the community and the area there tremendously because that are has been neglected to a certain extent and we're coming in with a project that is going to benefit the community," he said. "We feel that our project is going to upgrade the entire area and enhance the entire area from an architectural and economic standpoint."

Upon arrpoval of the special use permit, the building permits will be purchased and the project will begin, Lazaridis said, March 2002 is the expected completion date for the project.

Staff writer Kenna Griffin can be reached by e-mail at kgriffin@oklahoman.com or by phone at 475-3229.