The owner of Jackson Creek Apartments has just received approval to turn its 36 units into condominiums. Ted Mortarotti, spokesman for the company Equidyne Jackson Creek Associates, who owns the complex, answered questions for the Jackson Planning Commission at their meeting Monday night.  Mortarotti listed the benefits to the city, one of which will include potential “property tax revenue between 55,000 to 60,000 dollars.” Mortarotti also pointed out that this conversion will provide the public with much-needed affordable housing. Originally, the company’s attempt to convert the apartments to condos in 2004 was met by opposition from city residents, and the request was denied by the planning commission at that time.

Unlike the response in 2004, the current residents are “excited” about this conversion, says the apartment manager, Judy Stephens, who informed the council that “there is no negativity about this… and no one is worried.”  Stephens also indicated that several residents were already asking when the condos would be available and how much they would cost.  Mortarotti referenced the price the condos would have been in 2004, which was about $160,000, and indicated that, depending on when they finished the project, the prices might be less than that. Commission Chair Leticia Sexton, asked why the company would want to make this move now, with the depressed real estate market.  Mortarotti replied that the company had already invested four years and a considerable sum of money on this project, adding that “we just have to forge on.”  He also stated that the Jackson Creek Apartment complex was an appropriate setting for affordable housing, saying “they are beautiful little homes…it’s a pretty place.”  The commission approved the tentative parcel map for the condo project 3 to 0, with Commissioners Butow and Works stepping down due to owning property within 500 feet of the apartment complex.