In a recent meeting of the City Planning Commission, discussions centered around a proposed expansion of an assisted living facility that has been in operation since 1982. The facility, originally constructed under residential zoning, has transitioned to a multifamily high-density district designation to better align with its current use.

The applicant initially sought to add a 27,628 square foot, two-story addition, which would increase the total number of units from 93 to 126. However, following feedback from the commission, the proposal has been revised to a single-story addition, reducing the number of new units to 34. This change also impacts parking, as the original plan would have eliminated a rear parking area accommodating 40 spaces. To mitigate this loss, the applicant plans to install 16 new parking spaces on the north side of the property, resulting in a total of 56 spaces—down from the current 82.

Concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of parking, especially given that the assisted living facility requires one parking space for every three units. With the new configuration, the facility would need 36 spaces for residents, leaving 20 for staff and visitors. The applicant indicated that peak staff parking needs would require only 10 spaces, but commission members expressed ongoing concerns about whether this would sufficiently accommodate the facility's growth.

Additionally, the expansion raises issues related to lot coverage, as the existing conditions exceed the 40% limit set for the multifamily district. The proposed addition would necessitate a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of community engagement, with the applicant discussing plans to install an 8-foot wooden fence and plant trees to enhance privacy for neighboring properties. Despite these efforts, some residents have expressed objections to the project, indicating that further dialogue may be necessary to address community concerns.

The commission did not issue a formal recommendation at this meeting, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between the developer and local residents to ensure that the expansion aligns with community standards and expectations.