DATE: Wednesday, September 24, 1997         TAG: 9709240445

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   57 lines

PLANNED RESIDENTIAL/SHOPPING COMPLEX IS GRANTED CERTIFICATE NORFOLK COUNCIL STILL MUST RESOLVE SOME DIFFERENCES OVER THE BUILDING MATERIALS.

A residential and commercial development that could reshape the face of downtown's Freemason Harbor cleared a key hurdle with the City Council Tuesday, despite unresolved differences over the developer's choice of certain building materials.

The council voted 5-1 to award Collins Enterprises of Greenwich, Conn., a downtown development certificate for the project's first phase - a 3 1/2-story building containing 60 rental apartments and 5,100 square feet of retail commercial space on the first floor.

The Georgian-style building would be located on what is now a city parking lot between Boush and Duke streets. The shops would line College Place.

The developer needed the certificate to obtain a building permit. It certifies that the proposed plans meet such city zoning restrictions as building uses, setbacks, height and parking spaces.

Construction is expected to begin in November, said Arthur Collins II, executive vice president of Collins Enterprises.

``This is an important threshold for us to cross,'' Collins said Tuesday after the vote. ``We essentially can't build anything without it.''

Councilman Paul R. Riddick cast the lone dissenting vote. He said he felt uncomfortable voting on the certificate before the debate over building materials had been resolved.

Still at issue is Collins' proposal to use asphalt roofing shingles, vinyl siding on portions of the building, and a metal copper-like material as an architectural accent.

Members of the city's Planning Commission earlier this month rejected the use of the materials. The city's Design Review Committee, however, approved the plans. Both of the votes are only advisory. The council has final say on the matter.

City staffers said the council's approval of the downtown development certificate was a separate issue and that the door remains open for further discussion over siding and shingles.

Collins said Tuesday that he will meet with the Planning Commission on Thursday in hopes of settling the controversy.

``They're not deal-breakers,'' Collins said. ``I'm confident we can talk to them and come up with a resolution that will meet their needs and our needs, too. We want to work with them. We're always open to discussion.''

City officials view the Collins development, designed to draw people downtown to live, as pivotal to the long-term success of downtown revitalization plans. As now envisioned, the developer would build two additional apartment complexes - a total of 180 rental units - and a condominium with about 60 owner-occupied units. Also being discussed are a restaurant, a suites-style inn and a marina.

Mayor Paul D. Fraim said debate over the building materials is healthy and that he is confident the issue will be resolved satisfactorily.

``This is an attempt to have the best development possible,'' he said.

Added Councilman Mason Andrews: ``I think they all want a good product. When it's explained, it looks pretty good.''

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