Public seems to OK seniors’ complex

By Gillian Slade on August 8, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

There appears to be little opposition to the zoning bylaw change required for the seniors’ living complex planned for Strachan Road.

Residents at Chartwell Gardens, in close proximity to the development, indicated after a Tuesday meeting they are comfortable with the plans and are willing to support the rezoning, said Irene Errington, who was on a small committee that researched and liaised with the city to determine the details of the proposal.

The seniors’ assisted-living building will be built closer to the trail system and the pond on the site, set back considerably from Strachan Road.

The plan is part of a commercial development that already includes Boston Pizza and A&W. A Canalta Hotel has also been approved.

Some local residents contacted the city’s planning and development services about the proposed rezoning from C-R (Regional Commercial) to RMD (Medium Density Residential), said Erin Onoferychuk, superintendent of planning, implementation. Most of the questions related to the height (six-storeys) and the proximity to the adjacent Chartwell residential development.

The new building will be across the pond from Masterpiece Southland Meadows, which has recently begun construction on its second phase.

“It’s interesting that they’re locating right next to Masterpiece and so soon after we finished (the first phase),” said Tim Garforth-Bles, president of Masterpiece, who does not plan to oppose the re-zoning application.

It is not clear what levels of assisted living will be catered for in the proposed 245-unit development.

Assisted living and long-term-care beds, funded through Alberta Health Services, would be determined further into the project through a competitive process, said Garforth-Bles. At this stage it would be independent living and private pay care.

The developer has plans for a second phase development that will be a four-storey long-term-care facility with 114 units, according to a site map from the city.

The public hearing for this rezoning is scheduled for Aug. 20, at the regular council meeting.

If the rezoning is not approved, it is possible Canalta could construct a second six-storey hotel on the same site that the assisted living apartment is proposed, said Onoferychuk.

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