Property owner plans duplexes near Kellogg and 135th, but some neighbors oppose them

UPDATED — In 1993, Jim Edgington bought about 10 acres north of the northwest corner of Kellogg and 135th Street with the intention of building his family home there.

Twenty five years later, he’s ready to do it. His plans now also call for building two other homes and about 13 duplexes on the property, which is north of the Evangel Presbyterian Church near the northwest corner of the intersection.

The property is zoned residential, but Edgington needs to rezone it for duplex use. The request goes before the planning commission next week. According to calls coming into the planning department, there are already neighbors opposing it.

“I’m sure they are,” Edgington says. “And probably they’re going to say traffic.”

He says he respects people’s rights to oppose development.

“I’ve opposed stuff in that area, too, over the years.”

However, Edgington says he thinks there will be a lot of appeal to his duplexes.

“I think there’s a need for duplexes in that area.”

On the front eight acres, Edgington plans duplexes that will be about 1,200 square feet on each side. The community will be for people 55 and older and will be maintenance free for residents.

The other couple of acres, which back up to Auburn Hills, is where Edgington plans his home along with two others.

“I could probably shove another five, eight units in that thing and not build residential,” he says. “I’m not trying to shove too much stuff in there. I don’t want to drive by it going to my house all the time. I just want it to look appealing when you drive by.”

Nor does he want units for families with young children “like most of the units are.”

There will be a walking path and a pond that the rear of the duplexes face.

“Everything’s basically going to be geared to the back of the house.”

Part of the appeal, Edgington says, is the duplexes will be about 40 feet apart instead of closer together as many developments place them.

Also, the property is elevated.

“You can see the center of the city from there,” Edgington says.

He says he would not start building the development until the middle of next year.

“I have a lot of trees to cut out.”

There’s one he won’t be cutting, though.

“It’s got one cottonwood tree my wife won’t let me cut down.”

Edgington doesn’t like cottonwood trees, but his wife does. It’s become a running joke with them.

“I’m not man enough to cut down that cottonwood tree.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2018 at 2:56 PM.