Planning commission recommends rezoning for 48-unit Holman Heritage senior apartments

The Peru Planning Commission voted on May 26, 2026, to recommend rezoning for the Holman Heritage Apartments, a proposed 48-unit senior housing project at 366 West 3rd Street and 425 West Main Street.

Danell Beaverstein of Keller Development, representing Developmental Services (referred to in the presentation as Bonav Vista), described the project as a 48-unit senior community with 20% of units set aside for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He said the development would be affordable to households earning up to 80% of the area median income; as examples he cited a one-person household qualifying with income up to $47,500 and a two-person household up to $54,300. Beaverstein said rents would range from the mid-$400s to the mid-$900s, units would be two-bedroom and fully accessible or adaptable, the building would include an elevator, appliances would be Energy Star rated and the team is aiming for a NGBS Silver rating.

Beaverstein described the site plan as not yet finalized — landscaping and some details remain to be completed — and said there are about 60 parking spaces associated with the site and a separate lot on West Third Street. He stated the total project budget is "about a $12 million project," noting that includes soft costs and that his estimate of hard costs is about $9 million. He also said the team will apply for funding in July, expect award notifications in November and would likely begin construction by the following summer.

Public commenters raised neighborhood concerns. One resident warned that a three-story building so close to the road would increase traffic, noting exiting onto Third Street is already difficult and predicting that a new traffic signal could worsen congestion. A resident who identified herself as Erica said she lives across the street and reiterated worries about traffic and the condition of Third Street at the proposed entrances and exits.

The commission moved to a roll-call vote after discussion. Members who registered affirmative votes on the record include Joe Mox, Mike Subl, Dennis C, Drew Stevenson and Jim Baker; the recorder did not capture an explicit recorded response from one member in the provided segments. The motion’s mover and seconder are not specified in the transcript. The commission recorded a favorable recommendation to rezone the properties from R1 to R3; next steps discussed in the meeting included administrative signing and subsequent city council consideration.