12-11-08 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2008 housing. Winges again indicated that the facility is very close to being a nursing home, and there is very limited parking need. Winges reported that he could submit documentation from cities where Comforts of Home facilities are located verifying the low parking demands at these sites. Duray noted the City Planner's comments relative to parking should the building ever convert to a market-rate apartment building. Winges noted that the unit sizes are extremely small. To convert the building to apartments would result in the 44 units being rehabbed into 18 to 20 apartments. Barraclough noted that there are no kitchen facilities in these units. The City Planner indicated that the PUD zoning would give the City the opportunity to review any conversion to apartments. Duray asked about nursing staff. Winges reported that Comforts of Home is moving toward 24 hour nursing and noted that they have RNs and MDs on 24-hour call. They have the capability for 24-hour nursing if needed. Knudsen asked the difference between Comforts of Home assisted living versus a nursing home. Winges replied that there is very little. Residents have a private unit that nursing staff has access to. He reported that residents require a lot of care. Knudsen asked about funding. Winges reported that about 70% of residents pay for their own care. He noted that they have some residents on County funding. Winges reported that about six months before a resident's funding runs out, they work with the resident and the County on the transition to County funding. Knudsen felt that this was a great location for this use and felt that the building proposed was very attractive. Winges noted that the Comforts of Home buildings are in high visibility locations. He also indicated that there is a need in Little Canada for this type of housing, and felt the City can easily support the two facilities being proposed this evening. Duray agreed that this was a great location and that the facility would fit within the area. Duray asked if there were any security concerns with people coming into the site given the setback of the building from County Road B. Winges reported that the building will be secure and noted that there are not many break-ins into nursing homes. He also noted that the 24-hour activity and the fact that that the facility will be well lit are also deterrents to crime. Knudsen pointed out the need for a landscaping plan. The City Planner noted that this proposal is at the concept PUD Permit stage, and there will be more detailed plans presented as the project moves forward. The Planner noted that the current Comp Plan guides this site toward industrial use, and the applicant is seeking a Comp Plan amendment to change the proposed land use to residential planned unit development. -4-