Assisted Living Seniors housing coming?
A proposed OCP amendment went to open house last Friday at the Sonora Centre.
The amendment application is to change the land use designation of a property located at 9107 Main Street (near the Mohawk Gas Station) from Low Density Residential to Institutional.
The purpose of the amendment is to create a Public and Private Institution zone, which would allow for the construction of an 80-unit Assisted Living Seniors Residence.
At the October 3 council meeting, Councillor Ken Davreux said he recognizes the need for assisted living for seniors.
The only issue for the public now is whether it is appropriate to have an assisted living residence at that location, said Davreux.
Councillor Flintoft added with an aging population, it is important to have these sorts of facilities in Osoyoos.
Because the Town of Osoyoos is amending its Official Community Plan, under the Local Government Act the town had to provide opportunity for public consultation with the municipality, regional district, First Nations and various boards and agencies.
Staff recommended in a memo to council that a public information meeting should take place prior to first reading. Comments sheets were provided at Friday's open house, and comments will form part of the OCP amendment report to council at the first reading.
At Friday's open house was Calgary-based engineer and developer Farouk Shah. He was there to answer questions and explain the concept of the facility, named Cactus Ridge Estates.rnIf a development permit is approved, the maximum building height will be four storeys at Main Street and two storeys along Swan Crescent. Parking will be underground and accessed from Swan Crescent.
The facility will include both one- and two-bedroom apartments, a lounge, library, full service kitchen, activity/games room, fitness/wellness centre, laundry services, theatre room, dining room and 24-hour security.
Shah said that similar facilities exist in Red Deer, AB and Swift Current, SK.
Apartments may be sold (at an estimated cost of $130,000 and up) or rented (at an estimated cost of $1,300 per month). The estimated size of the apartments is between 520 and 800 square feet.
A list of street improvements, at the cost of the developer, includes the following:rnAt Swan Crescent – widen and pave the street by 20 feet, new curb and gutter, new sidewalk.
At Finch Crescent – new curb and gutter, landscape remaining street after building sidewalk.
For the small park – landscape with trees, shrubs and grass, build covered gazebo, build four benches, build garbage disposal unit.
Those who turned out for the open house had mixed reactions.
I first thought this was a good idea. We need something like this. But the zoning is absolutely ridiculous, to go from Single Family to Institutional in this area. Why stick it in the middle of town, said Jerry Albo.
He also cited concerns about fire access and the small portion of parkland that will be given to the developer as green space.rnAlbo and others also raised an issue of the limited notification received by neighbouring property owners.
We received a flyer about this open house just two days ago.rnIrene Kosmenko had similar concerns.
I'm not happy about this at all. I am worried about the increased traffic in the area. We definitely need a building like this, but not in this location. I also object to the four-storey height of the building, said Kosmenko.
Still others, such as Lolly Forshaw, were in favour of the project.
I'm in favour of a senior assisted living facility. It is very needed here, because so many of our seniors have to move away from Osoyoos for a place like this.rnA public hearing on the development proposal will likely be scheduled for later this month.
