Residents along Eighth Street let Golden’s Planning Commission know they aren’t in favor of a 99-unit apartment building proposed at 1300 Eighth St.

Others said it’s not a bad idea.

Apartment Complex Wins OK.

$20 million, 99 unit project to rise along Golden’s Eighth Street.

After hearing testimony from Confluence Development president Tim Walsh and roughly 20 citizens on Nov. 7, the seven-member panel voted unanimously to approve the site plan. Walsh said construction on the $20 million project will begin in June 2013.

Commissioners had asked for revisions to the site plan because of parking and traffic concerns, the four-story height and neighborhood compatibility.

“Last month we showed you a slightly larger project. The goal is to create a project that is embraced by the community,” Walsh said.

The neighborhood is a mixed-use area, with multifamily housing complexes, the Golden Community Center on the south side, Colorado 58 to the north and Washington Avenue to the east. The Briarwood Inn, an upscale restaurant, is at the far western end of the road.

Resident Vic Viola voiced concerns about the increased population and automobile traffic. He suggested the developer shrink the unit count to 50 apartments.

Walsh presented revised renderings with the streetside building down to three stories and the four-story segment placed toward the back of the 4.8-acre lot. More room was made available for parking spaces. A sidewalk to accommodate pedestrians and bike traffic was increased in width from 5 to 8 feet.

Residents who support the project favor the rental potential.

Francisco Reina, whose mother, Maria Stewart, lives in the Canyon Gate apartments across the street from the proposed apartments, said the proximity to town made the project attractive.

“It adds options, and paves the way for smart growth,” Reina said. “If you have these places close to town, it’s going to reduce traffic. I think population growth is always going to continue, (and) you have to adapt and address these with time.”

Businessman Brant Lahnert said his employees would jump at the chance to rent apartments in downtown Golden if they existed, but they often wind up renting in Belmar or downtown Denver and commuting.

Karen Groves: 303-954-2303 or kgroves@denverpost.com