Input on assisted living proposal.

There was a good turnout at the Sonora Community Centre last Monday night, as Osoyoos Town Council held two public hearings back-to-back.
The first hearing addressed the proposed senior assisted living facility for Osoyoos.
The application before council is for an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to change the land use designation of the subject property from R1 – Single Family Residential to P1 – Private and Public Institution, to allow for the construction of Cactus Ridge Estates – an 84-unit senior assisted living facility.
The applicant, Farouk Shah of F.M. Shah Building Design Limited, spoke on his own behalf and outlined the project as well as the process he followed to get to the public hearing stage. Also speaking on behalf of the project was Garry Pearce of Connecting Care, a retirement facility operator.
Shah noted that as a result of the feedback he received at an open house for the project back in October, he has modified his original plans to reduce the size of the building from four storeys to three.
He further explained that the proposed development would not be a health facility, such as Sagebrush Lodge, but rather a facility to provide service for seniors who no longer want to look after a house and who want to maintain an active and social lifestyle. He compared the building to a cruise ship, where residents would find nice accommodations and all the amenities to take care of their needs.
Shah also said he had looked at other sites but felt the Main Street location was ideal because seniors want to be a part of the community, which they would be able to do living in a central location.
Shah believes he has addressed the concerns of the community by reducing the size of the building by 25 feet, allowing the annexation of 20 feet of property along Swan Crescent in order to widen the street, going with underground parking at the south end of Swan, landscaping of the park area, adding curb and gutter along Swan and Finch, and increasing water supply for the Fire Department.
He explained that he agreed to the requests of the Town of Osoyoos Planning Department because many of the changes would be mutually beneficial to the neighbourhood and the development.
The project has to fit into the area in a positive way. I want to be a good neighbour, and that is why I have addressed all the concerns, Shah said.
With respect to loss of views, expressed by some area residents, Shah said that the area would be developed one way or another, and no matter what happens to the property, the views would not remain as they are.
He concluded by saying that, if approved, the building would be a $10 million project which would employ 10 permanent and two part- time employees.
The floor was opened up to the public, most of whom expressed opposition to the project due to its location. Out of 12 speakers, two spoke in favour and the rest were opposed.
Vicky Parker expressed support for the development.
We have a great need in our community for this facility, and I think the location is ideal, Parker said.
She added that she is troubled that Osoyoos' longtime residents have to leave the community to seek assisted living in other areas.
Colleen Quintal also was in favour of the development at the proposed location, stating that a senior assisted living apartment complex would bring quiet neighbours to the R1-zoned surrounding area.
Jerry Albo, who has been outspoken before against the proposal, pointed out that the question of whether an assisted living facility for seniors is needed for Osoyoos was not the issue.
His concerns were that he felt the location was inappropriate and that the affected residents were not informed about the project at an earlier stage. He also believed the Town of Osoyoos told the developer that getting the land rezoned wouldn't be a problem.rnOthers opposed listed concerns about water pressure, increased traffic dangers, noise, loss of views and of property values.
Osoyoos Now President Michael Ryan, who spoke on behalf of the residents' association, commended the developer for making some changes to the development plans, and added that such a facility would be welcomed in Osoyoos.
However, an amendment to an OCP is not desirable during an OCP review, nor is spot zoning for a purpose very different in character from the existing zone, Ryan said.
He also pointed out that the OCP Review Committee's assessment of the appropriateness of the site found the location did not meet three out of four of the committee's criteria.
A decision to give second and third readings to the proposed OCP and zoning amendments was scheduled to be before council at the December 19 meeting.