If a recent college graduate and his father have their way, an apartment complex will soon be built on High Ridge Boulevard.
Clayton Evans, who recently graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a construction management degree, and his father, Scott Evans, who owns the construction firm ST Evans Inc. of Fenton, are proposing to build three apartment buildings with 40 two- and three-bedroom units on a 2.59-acre lot at 3236 High Ridge Blvd. north of Hwy. PP.
The two are asking the county to rezone the parcel from non-planned community commercial to planned mixed residential to allow the apartments.
The Jefferson County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Evanses’ request.
The Jefferson County Council, which has the authority to rezone property in unincorporated areas, will take the matter up at a future meeting.
Three affirmative votes taken during at least two meetings are required for final approval.
Clayton Evans said rents will range from $1,000 to $1,500 a month.
Scott Evans said the first floor of each of the three buildings will be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act to encourage seniors and disabled people to live there.
The plan for the complex calls for 68 parking spaces, a pool and a recreation building.
The site, which is on a bluff, currently has a house on it.
Clayton Evans said he knows firsthand that the county needs a diverse inventory of housing.
“I recently graduated from college and I tried for a few months to come back to Jefferson County, but there were no suitable places that met my needs. I started to look at a way that I could change that,” he said.
Mick Schaab, who owns two nearby apartment buildings, said he welcomes the possibility of the development, which would be called Grayson’s Place.
“The apartments I own are 30 to 40 years old, and while I’ve made renovations to make them nicer, this sounds like a great thing that they’re planning. We don’t have enough of these quality developments in the area.”
Planning commissioner Danny Tuggle concurred.
“This should help to bring in more families to the area,” he said. “They’re right down the street from (the Northwest Branch of the Jefferson County Library) and that should attract some young families.”