Members of the Farmville Town Council voted to approve an apartment project on Vernon Street and an ordinance allowing electronic summons fees for those in criminal and traffic cases where the defendant is convicted of a violation during its Dec. 12 meeting.

The 52-unit apartment community by applicant Fred Pearson was approved by members of the council. No one spoke during the public hearing.

According to the December meeting board packet, the Farmville Planning Commission, during its September meeting, asked questions about landscaping and lighting in reference to the apartment project.

According to the meeting packet, the landscaping plan would be reviewed by the Town horticulturist. Pearson, according to the board packet, advised that he would explore lighting suggestions for the project.

Pearson, in a Friday phone interview, said the apartment project, which would be built on approximately 6.66 acres on Vernon Street, is primarily marketed toward college students, though he said they were not the sole demographic who could benefit.

Pearson described the apartments as being built similar to townhouses, with two stories, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. A living room, bedroom and kitchen is on the first floor, with two bedrooms on the second floor. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom.

He said rent is expected to be approximately $1,000 a month. The leases would last 12 months.

Pearson said he owns six units in Farmville that are mostly rented by students, and by area doctors. Some of the units are located at Grove Street and Vernon Avenue.

Pearson said the first steps toward construction of the new apartment project is expected to begin in the next two to six months, depending on how long it takes to prepare the construction site. Pearson said it could take up to a year to begin construction.

When asked about the impact the apartment project could have on nearby Parkview Gardens, an 80-unit, multifamily apartment community, in reference to noise or other concerns, Pearson said construction would most likely include some noise or dirt having to be moved away from the site.

“The town has already been out, and they know where the entrance is going to be,” Pearson said. “They aren’t seeing any particular problems there.”

Pattie Cooper-Jones, manager for Parkview Gardens, said her interactions with Pearson have been positive, and believes the residents do not anticipate major problems from the development.

“I really think that he’s going to be a good neighbor,” Cooper-Jones said. “He’s shown genuine concern to the neighborhood.”

“We realize and understand that growth is going to come,” Cooper-Jones continued, adding a need in the town for additional housing.