Metropolitan Theatres’ plans to build a 33-unit apartment building at the corner of Chapala and Sola streets up against the Arlington Theatre — now the site of a parking lot — garnered decidedly mixed reaction among members of the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission but still inched forward with a 4-2 vote. While a majority of the HLC members generally supported the project, some expressed reservations that the architecture was sufficiently distinctive for a structure slated to be next to the Arlington. One member wanted a few units lopped off to provide better sight lines from across town to the historic theater. The project architect objected that such a loss would render the project economically nonviable. Despite the vote, the approval was far from final, and the project will be subject to further HLC scrutiny.
