Ulysses Development Group is planning a 162-unit multifamily project on a 6.12-acre site at the NWC of Russell Road and Boulder Highway in Whitney.
The application lists the property owner as Elegance Russell LLC. Ulysses Development Group is the developer. Perlman Architects is the architect, while Vert Studio is the landscape architect. Taney Engineering is the project representative.
Plans for the affordable multifamily development include five separate buildings with a variety of unit types. There will be 42 one-, 72 two-, 36 three- and 12 four-bedroom units.
Two buildings will contain 24 units; one will have 30; another will have 36, and the largest will feature 48. Units range from 765SF to 1,593SF.
There will be roughly 40KSF of common open space for tenants. Amenities include a clubhouse, pool, BBQ area, dog park, common area and a children’s play lot. The clubhouse will contain a reception/lobby area, two offices, a copy/workroom, three classrooms, a fitness center, a lounge/kitchen, a mail room, restrooms and a maintenance room.
The maximum height across all buildings will be 46 feet.
Each building will have three different colors that will be used to further distinguish each of the floors. Earth tones and greys will be used on the exterior stucco walls. Varied parapet roofs will be used. The clubhouse will be similar to the residential buildings and will have a maximum height of 24 feet.
The 6.12-acre site is zoned Residential Multifamily 32 with a planned land use of Urban Neighborhood. The 162 units carry an overall density of 26.5 dwelling units/acre.
The subject site is currently undeveloped and fully surrounded by other undeveloped land. The north is also zoned RM32. The south and east contain vacant land zoned Commercial General. The west is currently zoned Industrial Light.
According to Taney Engineering’s justification letter, “Russell Road will receive full off-site improvements including curb, gutter, detached sidewalk, paving, and streetlights.”
Access to the site will be provided via Russell Road. The private accessway will be at the SWC of the site and will be gated. Units will be accessible via 24-foot-wide drive aisles. Russell Road will feature an additional driveway exclusively available to emergency vehicles.
A development of this size typically requires 285 parking spaces; however, as the project is deemed “affordable,” only 214 spaces are required. Regardless, developers are planning a total of 259 parking stalls.
Waivers of Development Standards and Design Review
Ulysess Development Group requested three Waivers of Development Standards alongside the Design Review. The first waiver is to reduce the required parking lot landscaping. Staff did not support the request, saying the requirement is intended to reduce the heat island created by the parking lot.
The second waiver would increase the retaining wall height on the eastern property line from three feet to five. Staff recommended approval of this request.
The final waiver is to reduce the driveway throat depth along Russell Road from 150 feet to 80 feet. Staff recommended approval of this waiver as well.
Despite the recommendation for denial of the first waiver, staff ultimately recommended approval of the design review for the affordable housing project. The Whitney Town Advisory Board also recommended approval of the development.
The Clark County Zoning Commission will consider the proposal during its May 20 meeting.
