Dec 12, 2023

The Taylor: A timeline of how the 198-unit downtown Opelika apartment complex came to be

The Taylor Rendering

The Taylor Apartments will kick off construction of the downtown Opelika's 198-unit multifamily apartment complex on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in an almost two-year-old saga that led to public hearings, debates and a petition. 

The four building complex, which is being developed by Sierra Development, will be built on the corner of South 10th Street and Avenue C, near the Opelika Police Station. Since the initial project plans were announced, The Taylor has received a share of criticism from many residents, while also receiving support from those who feel the downtown area needed a large apartment close to the area. 

Here is a timeline of events and milestones that have led to the Taylor being built:

  • Jan. 25, 2022: The Opelika Planning Commission approves sending a positive recommendation to the Opelika City Council for rezoning 7.8 acres at South 10th Street and Avenue C from C-2, office/retail, to C-1, downtown commercial. According to the minutes from that meeting, the applicant, Jim Daws of Sierra Development, was planning to build a 182-unit apartment development.
  • Feb. 22, 2022: The Opelika Planning Commission voted to grant a conditional use approval for "a 182-unit multi-family development on 7.14 acres in the southwest corner of S. 10th Street and Avenue C. The approval was subject to the council approving the rezoning application from January. In the application, Sierra Development provided a site plan for The Taylor.
  • March 9, 2022: The City of Opelika responds to social media backlash toward plans for The Taylor with a statement from city planning director Matt Mosley. Around this time, the petition "Don't Ruin Opelika", was started by Katherine "Kitty" Greene. The petition currently has 1,027 signatures.
  • March 15, 2022: The Opelika City Council held a regular meeting, with an agenda that included the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the zoning ordinance and map at South 10th Street and Avenue C, from a M-1, GC-S district and a C-2, GC-S district to a C-1, GC-S district, downtown commercial gateway corridor. As it was the first reading, there was no vote by the council, but there was a public hearing required with the ordinance.
  • April 5, 2022: The council voted 3-2 in favor of the ordinance, with Ward 2 Councilwoman-President Pro-Tern Erica Baker Norris and Ward 3 Councilman Tim Aja voting against. Aja and Norris both thanked the citizens for participating in the public hearing in March.
  • June 7, 2022: The council held a hearing on amending the zoning ordinance for the City of Opelika, particularly section 7. 7, Downtown Residential Living. The amendment would make the maximum number of dwelling units per acre in the C-1 zoning district 28. It would also amend certain sections that would create revised development and design standard for buildings and structures within the C-1 district, particularly creating a method for developers getting approval to build residential dwellings on the first floor of buildings in the district.
  • July 5, 2022: Opelika City Council approves amending the Downtown Residential Living Ordinance, which effectively greenlit The Taylor project moving forward.
    Norris and Aja voted against.
  • Aug. 31, 2023: Opelika Farmer's Market closed its doors, the business announced on Facebook. The market was located at 411 South 10th St., the site of Dec. 13 groundbreaking.
  • Sept. 19, 2023: The Opelika City Council approves a project agreement between the city and The Taylor LLC. The agreement, which included the city installing infrastructure improvements to address traffic, parking and lighting concerns, was the final step for The Taylor to move forward. Aja voted against it, Norris abstained and Allen, Smith and Rauch voted to approve the agreement.
  • Nov. 29, 2023: The groundbreaking for the Taylor is announced, with the complex referred to as "the first luxury multifamily development in Opelika's historic downtown."
  • Dec. 13, 2023: Groundbreaking.
  • August 2024: The Taylor is set to open.

Original article can be accessed at: Opelika-Auburn News, Published 12/12/2023

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