ThisWeek CW 06/11/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/06/08/final-vote-on-nursing-home-expected-june-15.html
Opinions among Canal Winchester residents who spoke at a June 1 public hearing were split about a potential nursing care facility proposed for a site near the elementary school and the Villages of Westchester residential development.
The public hearing was held before Canal Winchester City Council heard the second reading of a proposed change to the site development text. A few residents and representatives from the MacIntosh Co., the project developer, spoke about the project.
The property was originally rezoned for multifamily residential use in 2006 when a 34-unit condominium development had been planned; due to market changes, the condos were never built.
The MacIntosh Co. is seeking permission to construct an 87,000-square-foot, two-story skilled nursing rehabilitation and assisted care facility that would include 125 beds, according to city documents. Thirty-five of the beds would be used to provide assisted care and 90 would be used for skilled nursing care in both private and semi-private rooms.
At the first reading of the proposed changes May 4, residents Nicholas Grilli, an attorney, and his wife, Julia, who live near the proposed development on Tallman Court, submitted a legal brief to city council objecting to the project.
City Law Director Jennifer Croghan said at that time the appeal by the Grillis was inappropriate because a final decision had not been made. A final vote on the site development text changes is expected to take place at council’s Monday, June 15, meeting.
The Grillis again pleaded their case June 1, asking that city council reject the plan. They believe a skilled nursing facility is incompatible with their neighborhood and the city already has enough similar options to what is being presented.
“The root of all my concerns is that this is a public use, and with a public facility it will generate a problem for those residents around it,” Nicholas Grilli said. “I do appreciate the MacIntosh Co. for reaching out. The revised plan to some extent diminishes some of my concerns, but I think they need to go a step further. It needs to be entirely concealed.”
Grilli said he is also concerned that if a skilled nursing facility isn’t built, the property could end up being used for an apartment complex, which he said he supports even less.
Julia Grilli expressed concerns about the transient nature of the employees and families who would be served by this new development.
“Putting something like that in a nice housing development, putting something like this will affect our community values,” she said. “And a major reason for choosing to live here is a feeling of safety, but we’ve all seen the changes, good and, unfortunately, bad.
“We do have two young children who I feel safe letting play in the backyard while I’m gardening, but with that transient population, you have to worry about that.”
Rossmore Lane resident Kurt Fansler said he favors the new project, and agreed with the concern about what else could potentially end up on the property if this project is not approved.
“In general, I am really happy with the improvements, the lowering of the roof line and the addition of more trees,” he said. “I’ve reviewed everything and it appears that even (with) the lighting, I don’t think you’ll even see anything.
“The transient employees are a lot less than if it were an apartment complex, and they are in and out at regular hours and are accountable.”
Project Architect Russ Garber said he welcomes continued dialogue about the project if it is allowed to move forward, including adding landscaping and other changes to ease residents’ concerns.
“We wouldn’t be looking at a project here if there wasn’t a need,” Garber said. “There is a $4-million payroll for a facility like this, and it is a $16-million investment.
“It is the most vulnerable residents that need care who will be served,” he added. “I think the concern about safety being expressed is the exact same that our residents in MacIntosh have.”