City planners unanimously endorsed a proposal that will nearly double the size of Suffolk’s newest retirement community.

The Suffolk Planning Commission approved rezoning 45 acres along King’s Fork Road, a move that will let Lake Prince Woods grow by more than 120 new cottages and duplexes for seniors, during its meeting Tuesday.

The Suffolk City Council is expected to review the proposed project in September.

Lake Prince Woods, which opened three years ago with 130 homes and apartments, is hoping to move ahead with construction in spring 2006, said marketing director Lexa Barnes recently.

Contractors are poised to begin more than $4 million in site work as soon as city planners sign off on the preliminary plan, she said.

There is a continuing demand for more retirement housing in Suffolk, said Celia Soper, executive director at Lake Prince, during Tuesday’s hearing.

&uot;We are already at capacity,&uot; said Soper. The retirement facility has a waiting list of prospective buyers for the new cottages and duplexes, she added.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com