Developers hit a ‘home run’ with planned apartments, Sterling Heights mayor says
An artist’s rendering of Icon Park Apartments, to be construction west of Mound Road, just north of 14 Mile Road. (DRAWING COURTESY OF ICON PARK)
A new multi-million dollar apartment complex filled with amenities such as a reflection pond and EV charging stations that is aimed at attracting younger renters in Sterling Heights received the green light this week.
The City Council approved the Planned Unit Development (PUD) project by a 5-2 vote at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“I think it’s a home run,” Mayor Michael Taylor said at the council session. “If we turn it down, shame on us.”
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor (MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)(MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)
Icon Park Apartments is planned for 5.6 acres of land on the west side of Mound Road, north of 14 Mile Road. The developers are Randy Najjar, CEO of Sapphire Luxury Homes in Birmingham, and Amer Batal, co-owner of Urban Air Adventures in Sterling Heights.
The PUD envisions a development consisting of five individual, three-story apartment buildings containing a total of 140 units.
City officials say it will be the largest multiple family development in the area, which is across the street from an Amazon Fulfillment Center, and other projects in the works.
The complex includes 28 micro units consisting of 308-square-feet, each with a wall bed, kitchen, and a stackable washer and dryer. Other buildings will include 56 645-square-foot one bedroom units, and 56 two-bedroom units, each of which are 830-square-feet.
Buildings will be two- and three-stories tall.
According to the developers, the monthly rental rates are $850 for the micro units, $1,250 for the one-bedroom and $1,640 for the two-bedroom units.
Each apartment complex will have community space on the first floor, including a fitness center, gaming room, party room, gaming center, business center with 12 office stations, lounge, and storage and maintenance room. The complex also features surveillance and digital security access and electric vehicle charging stations,
Outdoor amenities include community gardens, a reflection pond, pavilions with fireplaces, a playground, barbecue stations, walking paths and covered ride share facilities.
The developers point out the location provides easy access to M-59, as well as Interstates 94 and 75. With Amazon and other businesses opening, they say there is an “immediate need” and “high demand” for additional residential apartments.
“We fee we are a pretty good transition between existing commercial and residential spaces,” Badal said.
Given the urban nature of the development, young professionals will likely be drawn to Icon Park, developers said.
Councilmember Barbara Ziarko anticipates the development will enhance the appearance of the 14 Mile-Mound area, an entryway into the city,
“You could do this (development) anywhere and you’d be filled,” she said. “This is the perfect place for it to be located.”
Councilmembers Deanna Koski and Henry Yanez voted against the PUD. Yanez had concerns about safety issues relating to the reflection pond, while Koski had a problem density of the micro units.
The PUD provides a streamlined process for reviewing the application in terms of zoning, uses, and potential variances.