A sprawling 23-acre, 1,200-unit apartment community was unanimously approved this week by Metro Planning Commission on an L-shaped parcel around the historic 8th Avenue Reservoir.

Elmington Capital Group will build the first phase of the development next year, at the southwest corner of Edgehill Avenue and 8th Avenue South.

Residents at an existing Park at Hillside affordable housing complex there will be moved into the new housing before the aging 1960s-era project is razed.

“We are able to do what we want and preserve existing residents’ ability to stay in the neighborhood for years to come at an affordable rent,” said Elmington Capital President Ben Brewer. “For us to have come to an agreement that gives residents what they wanted, and to be able to do what we want, is a win-win.”

Metro Councilman Colby Sledge said he worked with the developer and community for more than a year to ensure a smooth transition.

“Tenants made it clear that the most important thing to them was being able to maintain the affordability they currently have, but in new apartments. So that was the primary goal,” Sledge said. “The important thing was building that trust between the developer and community, especially because that property had been so neglected for so long by the previous owners.”

Residents attended the planning commission hearing Thursday night in support of the plans. Nealy 25 percent of the development will quality as affordable housing.

Nashville-based Elmington, which has extensive experience developing low-income housing locally, purchased Park at Hillside for $20.3 million in 2016.

Offices, a hotel and commercial buildings are also permitted in the plans. Developers hope to attract a grocery store, medical offices, restaurants and a pharmacy to the site.

Nearby, the Edgehill Apartments subsidized housing development owned by the Metro Development and Housing Agency are in the process of being developed into a new mixed-income community.

Elmington plans to build a mix of housing types for residents with a range of incomes, at a density of 20 units per acre.

High-rise structures will be concentrated along Edgehill, 8th, and Hillside avenues, with maximum heights of 11 stories.

Buildings near the reservoir will be shorter to maintain views of the landscape.

Bike paths and green spaces will be added throughout.

Vernon Avenue will be extended to connect with Hillside Avenue, and several small internal connecting streets will be threaded through the community.