At the Wednesday, May 13 meeting of Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board, a local senior care facility received a conditional use approval to increase its residency by 50 percent from 14 to 21 patients.
PZA Board Chair Stephen Levin called the virtual meeting to order using the Zoom computer software. Housekeeping measures brought the board’s minutes up to date before discussion of the congregate living facility.
At the start of the discussion, Village Attorney Laurie Cohen received approval from the applicant to hold the public hearing using Zoom.
Wellington Senior Planner Damian Newell made the staff presentation to the board for New Age of Senior Care, located at 1074 Hyacinth Place. The facility currently occupies three condominiums in the four-unit building on 0.52 acres.
Since 2013, New Age of Senior Care has operated as a Class 2A congregate living facility for Alzheimer’s patients who require some assistance in their daily activities. The secure facility is protected with keypad access.
The requested Class 2B designation would allow the facility to have plans drawn up to expand into the fourth condominium, creating a total of 21 permanent beds and one short-term-care bed, with internal connections throughout the facility. It will be the third 2B designation within the village.
Newell reviewed the history and the location of the facility, which has never had a code enforcement action. “It is consistent with the Wellington Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations,” he said.
The applicant is required to provide interior space modifications to ensure ADA compliance and upgrade the fire sprinkler system.
Board members provided a thorough examination of the application and asked about staffing, visiting hours and on-site parking requirements for nine vehicles, which exceeds the code requirement of eight.
The owner of the facility said that their goal is to perform the necessary renovations with minimal interruptions to operations and impact on current residents.
“It would seem you operate a fine and valuable business,” Levin said.
A motion to approve the change passed 6-0 with Board Member Dr. Carmine Priore absent.
Development Review Coordinator Cory Lyn Cramer said that the board’s June meeting is expected to be back in the council chambers.
