Berlin Planning Commission considers housing proposals

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(June 22, 2023) The dearth of affordable housing in the area is about to be addressed in Berlin, where developers are proposing a pair of projects that could add more than 100 residential units to the local supply.

The Berlin Planning Commission reviewed concept plans for two housing developments last Wednesday, while also approving a site plan for a business project.

In the first residential project, Chris Carbaugh and Eric Davis came before the planning committee to discuss the 20-unit townhouse development they want to build on 2.8 acres off Bay Street in Berlin.

The concept calls for 780-squarefoot, one-story, two-bedroom units with two parking spaces. The developers told the commission they expect the rental units to go for $1,400-1,500 a month.

They said their goal is to provide more affordable housing in the area, with Davis noting there are five complexes surround this property that enjoy 100 percent occupancy at similar prices.

Currently, several single-family home rentals occupy the site but reportedly are not well maintained. The property has been on the market for a while, according to Dave Englehart, planning director for the Town of Berlin.

Planning Commissioner Ron Cascio suggested the developers consider enhancing the elevation, or facade, of the homes to make it feel like it belongs in Berlin.

“The elevation is far from acceptable,” Cascio said.

Other commissioners suggested the addition of front porches to make them more coastal and welcoming, and member Matthew Stoehr suggested additional parking be added to the plan to accommodate visitors to the community.

The current plan provides one acre of green space on the property.

The second development presented was by Karbyte Enterprises LLC for a mix of retail, townhomes, condos and villas at the intersection of Route 113 and Germantown Road in Berlin.

Mark Cropper of the law firm Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy and Almand

See PLANNING Page 7