By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarrenton aldermen voted to provide a letter of support for a senior housing development, but not without objections.A 40-unit senior housing complex is planned on Fairgrounds Road, across from the Warren County Fairgrounds. The property has been vacant for some time and was formerly the American Legion baseball field.The project is being proposed by NECAC, Allied Construction, Inc., and Marti Family Trust LLC. Developers will be applying for tax credits through the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) to finance the project. The application will be submitted in September, according to Carla Potts, NECAC deputy director of housing development.Aldermen at last Tuesday’s meeting voted 3-2 to provide the letter of support. Ward 1 Alderman Toni Hawley, Ward 2 Alderman Damion Frederick and Ward 3 Alderman Jim Dreyer voted in favor, while Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch and Ward 3 Alderman Bob Delaloye voted no. Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly was absent.Developers sought the city’s support so that the letter could accompany the application to the MHDC. Other support will be sought from state lawmakers who represent the area and other organizations, Potts said.The application process is competitive as over 100 applications will be submitted, but only a few dozen will be funded.“We think there is a great need for senior housing in any community we go in,” Potts said.In opposing the proposed project, Auch felt the preliminary site plan featuring multiple single-story four- and six-plex building units was too crowded for the property and did not provide enough green space. He also raised concerns about stormwater runoff in the area.Auch indicated some neighbors to the property also opposed the development.“It’s easy to say we can give a letter of support, (but) I don’t know if we do need more senior housing, or don’t need senior housing,” Auch said.Developers noted that the proposed complex was well below what is allowed in the city’s regulations. Several years ago, a 72-unit development had been planned on the same 5-acre property.“Zoning in Warrenton allows 16 units per acre and we are coming in less than half of that,” said Michael Marti, whose family owns the property. “I don’t understand the concern. We are cutting that from 50 percent.”Should the development proposal be funded by the MHDC, a formal site plan would be presented the city’s planning and zoning commission and board of aldermen at a later time for approval. The housing would only be available for seniors 62 and older. Potts said the monthly rent would range from $400 to $500.One idea floated by Hawley was removing one of the four-plex buildings from the proposal to allow more green space. She said discussion during meetings on the comprehensive plan had raised the need for more affordable senior housing.“We have never gone into any community not wanting to be a good neighbor or build a quality project,” Potts said. “Seniors do make good neighbors. They are quiet. They are respectful.“If we’re funded, and that is an if, we will be back here going through everything. We will work with the city. We will work with the neighbors. We want to have a competitive application from Warrenton. We came here because we think there is a need for senior housing.”Warrenton