Developers, City Scrap Plans for Housing Project on 2.6-Acre Estate

A on Edgewater Drive to make way for a 14-home development is now off the table.

City officials told the developers at Abode Living that, —under the zoning code —there could be no more than a dozen single-story homes built on the 2.6-acre property.

On Thursday, the company informed the city that it was no longer pursuing the project.

Mayor Michael Summers has said recently that the city has a dire need for single-story housing for seniors.

But he added Friday that the proposed development “would not be compatible with the neighborhood context.”

“Our obligation as local government is to always be good stewards of the community’s health and well being,” he said. “Part of that responsibility involves evaluating development opportunities as they arise by consistently balancing the property rights of an owner, neighborhood stability, good design, market demands, population changes and public safety.”

During the past several weeks the future of the lakefront property — at 13474 Edgewater Drive — has been heavily debated with neighbors speaking out against the proposal.

“Though only a rudimentary concept and nothing more, I felt it important to ask the neighbors to weigh in on this early discussion,” Summers said.

The city hosted a public forum at Emerson Elementary on Feb. 24 to discuss the issue.

Nearly 50 people attended the meeting to listen to the introductory proposal, learn about the 100-year history of the neighborhood and their rights as property owners under the zoning law.

The lakefront estate, at 13474 Edgewater Dr., .

The former owners of the property — who lived there for 30 years — turned the deed of the estate over to mortgage lenders three months ago. The four-bedroom, 4.5-bath home — with a soaring foyer, grand staircase, a formal dining room overlooking a reflection pond, cherry floors and a carriage house — has been vacant since.