Design Review Board reviews Vantage Apartments conceptual master plan, urges Low Country character and pond activation

Design teams presented a conceptual master plan for the Vantage Apartments site — a previously approved multifamily development the applicant proposes to bring forward with updated town standards and a phased approach.

The applicant said the plan keeps the previously-approved unit count (288) while updating the layout to preserve more canopy trees, reduce wetland crossings from two to one, and phase an early-site package to install an approved wetland crossing pipe. The conceptual submission included a standalone clubhouse, pool and amenity elements, detached garages and a mix of apartment and townhome buildings.

Board and staff comments were broad and focused on design language: the board asked the team to make the streetside and amenity buildings read more strongly as Low Country in material and roof form (gable/hip options), to provide more robust porch/column details and divided-window patterns, and to study whether some building ends facing the public road should be specially articulated. Multiple members suggested ways to soften long garage or service views (add canopy trees, landscape between drive aisles, or flip some townhome orientations if parking counts allow). Several board members encouraged "amenitizing" detention ponds (trails, piers or pedestrian bridges) where grades and tree protection allow.

Staff noted the conceptual approval request would allow the team to pursue early site work and permitting; no final approvals were granted at this meeting and the board asked for detailed architecture, landscape and utility screening at future submissions.