GROVES — A development company looking to construct affordable housing for seniors in Groves took the first steps in the journey on Monday.

Ina Spokas, vice-president of development for KCG Development, presented information and fielded questions regarding the proposed construction of Pecan Grove Apartments. The presentation was for informational purposes only and council took no action.

The proposed apartments would consist of 108 units, 66 of which will be one bedroom/one bath and 42 two bedroom/two bath units targeted for senior citizens ages 55 and up.

Spokas explained the apartments, to be located at 5300 Twin City Hwy., would not be Section 8 or subsidized housing but income based.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs governs the Housing Tax Credit for which the apartments would be built. Guidelines for income are set by the Housing and Urban Development governmental agency. Rules specify that 80 percent of the units will house one tenant 55 and over.

“This will be the first affordable housing development in Groves,” Spokas said. “The program provides for clean housing in a safe and healthy environment for tenants who may not necessarily be able to afford otherwise.”

Councilmembers grilled Spokas with questions about criminal background checks, property management and the number of people allowed in an apartment.

Councilmember Jim Rasa asked ‘why Groves?” wondering if the company underwent a feasibility to study that targeted the town to which Spokas explained there is a competitive program for tax credits involved as they are competing with other companies across the region. Certain attributes make for higher points in the tax credit issue such as good schools.

“You have a really great school system and for the program, schools are king,” she said. “You have excellent elementary schools, excellent middle schools and excellent high school.”

Mayor Brad Bailey responded quickly.

“Which is great for both of us but this is senior apartments,” Bailey said. “As we sit here about to embark on one of the biggest developments in the city’s history (Indian Springs gated subdivision), it’s about perception. Everything always looks good on paper and this is informational. Our ultimate goal is to do what’s best for the city of Groves.”

Councilmember Kyle Hollier asked if there are statistics for crime rates in towns where KCG owns senior apartments as well as what resources those cities use to take care of crime and is crime affects single family homes in those areas. Spokas jotted down the question and will provide City Manager D. Sosa with the answer.

KCG also has apartments in Roundrock, Buda and Leander. Those apartments are at 100 percent capacity with w waiting list and have the same criteria as the Groves proposal.

If approved at a later date, Pecan Grove Apartments would be situated on a 14-acre tract of land with a building cost of $9.5 million and a total cost of about $15 million.

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