Residents of Bethune Lofts and nearby buildings are about to get some new neighbors: about 300 college students.

A Utah developer is now free to proceed with his proposal for a new student-housing complex at 2929 Main St., transforming an old multibuilding manufacturing complex into a new residential community. The $30 million project, which already received a package of zoning variances, was approved by the Buffalo Planning Board on Monday after two months of consideration.

David Freeman's DF Fusion Investments of Provo, Utah, plans to convert the facility formerly occupied by metal-finishing company Keystone Corp. into apartments aimed at graduate students at the University at Buffalo and other nearby colleges. The 4.4-acre site is located near the LaSalle Metro Rail station, the William Price development and McCarthy Park.