ThisWeek CW 07/16/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/07/13/macintosh-nursing-home-project-clears-council-hurdle.html
It was a split vote, but the MacIntosh Co. received city council approval last week for zoning text changes related to construction of a skilled nursing and assisted care facility in Canal Winchester.
At council’s July 7 meeting, Councilmen Steve Donahue and Will Bennett both voted against a change to the site development text to allow for the facility, while members Bobbi Mershon, Marilyn Rush-Ekelberry, Joe Abbott and Rick Deeds voted in favor.
Originally, the 7.5-acre lot east of Gender Road and south of Fox Hill Drive was approved for 34 condominium units in 2006, but the faltering real estate market at the time halted those plans.
Valerie Gregger with Altercare of Canal Winchester, located near the MacIntosh location at 6725 Thrush Drive, said adding an additional 125 beds for assisted care and skilled nursing will overwhelm the market for these services in Canal Winchester, leading to potential job losses and facility closures.
Residents Julia and Nick Grilli, who have spoken out against the development at every public review of legislation related to it, reiterated their concerns last week and again called for more screening of the facility as well as the addition of a fountain in a proposed pond to help mask noise.
Project architect Russ Garber said he had already incorporated additional screening and a pond fountain into the plans but would be willing to consider further changes as the process continues.
“Throughout this public process, we’ve been grateful for all the concerns and a forum to address them,” Garber said. “MacIntosh strives to be a good neighbor, provide good services and be a good employer.
“We have listened to concerns and moved parking away from the back, increased landscaping and moved items,” he said. “We’ve included more mounding and landscaping. Also, we’ve heard about the need for the facility and the state-published bed needs as well as there being an independent study showing the need for these beds here.”
Although changes to the site development text have been approved, the MacIntosh Co. will still be required to submit development plans to the Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission and complete that approval process prior to breaking ground.