City Approves 250 Apartment Complex; Development to Include Retail, Commercial, and 447 Homes

    In the face of almost two hours of public comment overwhelmingly in opposition, Central’s City Council gave final approval Tuesday night for The Settlement on Shoe Creek, a Traditional Neighborhood Development across Sullivan Road from Walmart which will include 250 apartments, 447 homes and 100,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
    Most who spoke in opposition to the project cited the proposed 250 apartments as the major objection.  Their concerns included the increased traffic on Sullivan Road and the potential influx of students into an already overcrowded school buildings.  Many who spoke stated their desire for Central not to grow too quickly and become the type of crowded areas they have avoided in order to enjoy Central’s more rural surroundings.
    Council Members responded, offering arguments that the school system growth would be manageable and referred often to the concept that increased population and business locations would provide needed tax revenues for both the city and school system.
    Wednesday morning following Tuesday’s meeting Mayor Junior Shelton commented that he favored the 250 apartments, but only as a part of this larger Traditional Neighborhood Development.  Shelton explained that the apartments were an important part of the business plan that makes a project of this type financially worthwhile for the developer.
    The first phase of the project will include the commercial space fronting Sullivan Road, the 250 apartments and a portion of the homes.  The ultimate completion of the project will depend on housing sales and has been estimated to take another six to eight years.