BOARDMAN, Ohio - A senior living apartment complex could be coming to Boardman.

This comes as other plans to build a general population apartment complex along South Avenue were voted down. It's up to the township's trustees to give the final thumbs up for zone changes needed to welcome the complex.

21 News caught up with Boardman officials on some hurdles in getting to the finish line and why some are skeptical about the build. 

"Gather more information from the people, again there are a lot of questions being asked," said Nicholas Spanos of Walker Mill Road in Poland. 

The process of zoning change approval continues as a potential 50-unit senior apartment complex could be erected just south of Rulli Brothers on South Avenue.

"They have some concerns that we can't address as a commission," explained Pete Lymber, Zoning Chairman in Boardman. "That would have to be other areas of the township but we do understand their concerns."

Tuesday's zoning commissioners meeting lead to the approval of 2 more parcels needed after the property group, Pivotal had to slightly shift the building site north to avoid gas wells.

Dozens of people living nearby are concerned about the apartment's water runoff and whether they accept Section 8 housing. Pivotal representatives assured the room that detention basins will be installed to alleviate those runoff concerns. They added the property does accept Section 42 Housing, which is the housing tax credit.

"You use the tax credits to build a product quality where you're getting the quality you want," said Pete Schwiegeraht, Senior VP President of Development, Midwest Region. "But at the same time, you're able to keep the rent at a more reasonable or attainable level."

While one woman living on Beech Ave. has the same concerns, she said she'd take the senior living center, knowing the property would eventually be built on.

"Someone's going to build here and I would so much rather it be someone that would benefit and be quiet and retain what we have," explained Mary Jo Averell of Beech Ave. "We do have some pine trees behind it but our 5 lots are directly budded against this and that is the part that will be preserved. They don't need all that property."

The zoning commission added that a traffic light could be installed at the corner of Walker Mill and South Ave, an idea that's been turned down before.

Plans were already approved for the same developer to build a senior apartment complex in Liberty along Belmont Avenue.

Trustees will vote on the zoning changes in their next meeting on January 23rd. Zoning board reps tell 21 News they expect the trustees to approve the measure.