Fairfield files apartment plans

The developer of a proposed $29 million student/multifamily apartment development at Burbank Drive and Ben Hur Road has filed plans with the city-parish Department of Public Works.

If approved, Fairfield at Baton Rouge would be a 299-unit complex with 898 beds on 40 acres, primarily along Burbank southeast of Ben Hur. A two-acre pad at the southern corner of the intersection will be set aside for future retail development.

Zach Johnson, of Irving, Texas,-based Fairfield, said the company is hoping construction could begin by the end of the year, with the first portion opened by August 2014 and total completion sometime in 2015.

Plans filed with the city-parish indicate there will be six buildings with 36 one-bedroom units, 70 two-bedroom units, 50 three-bedroom units and 117 four-bedroom units. There will also be 26 townhomes. Amenities include a courtyard, clubhouse, fitness center, cyber café and cabanas. There will be 1,020 parking spaces.

The development was approved by the city-parish Planning Commission, despite concerns by environmental groups over the impact of large developments on wetlands in south Baton Rouge.

Charles Landry, the attorney representing Fairfield, told the commission only 10 acres of wetlands are involved in the development and 82 of the property’s 124 acres will remain undeveloped except for walking trails.