PC 061108 - Laserfiche WebLink

project was at odds with their vision of a privately financed community. He stated that once they were operating within the community, they would be a very strong and positive resource and asset to the community. Matt Gray, applicant, reiterated that there was a 20-plus-year planning history with this application and that it had been included in the General Plan for this use consistent with Sunrise's proposed use. He noted that there were multiple General Plan updates and environmental reviews and that Sunrise sought similar treatment to what recently occurred in 2000 when another landowner came forward with a proposal and sought to conform it to the existing zoning on the site. He noted that plans were submitted and reviewed, and it was determined that no discretionary approval was required and they were deemed to be in substantial conformance by the Zoning Administrator. He added that Sunrise requested the same determination and the same process and that the numerous neighborhood comments were very diverse, and that the only place for Sunrise to reliably land was on an approved designated zoning for this property. Commissioner Fox inquired how "senior community" compared to the retirement hotel approved in 1985. Mr. Gray replied that the assisted-living industry had evolved considerably over the past 20 years, particularly in recognizing that there was great benefit in providing people a place where they could "age in place." He added that they could do so in a place with services and a level of care within their communities that allow people to locate to such a facility when they no longer wish to remain in asingle-family home. He added that the community itself would provide a range of services so that people could stay in the facility for a meaningful amount of time, even as the demands for care may change for a particular individual. He noted that the assisted-living facility submitted by Sunrise, similar to the one submitted in 2000, was an evolution of the concept of a retirement hotel. He believed this kind of project would not be called a "retirement hotel" today and that it was an anachronistic term that suggested that people were put into the building with no attention being paid to the differing levels of care that individuals may need or warrant. Commissioner Fox noted that the old approval stated the average age of 81 and that the residents would be ambulatory and able to care for themselves. She inquired whether this proposed use would be described as a skilled nursing facility. Mr. Rockwood replied that it was definitely not a skilled nursing facility and that it would not look like an institution physically. He noted that the average age of the residents would be in their early 80's. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Fox regarding whether this was a convalescent facility, Mr. Rockwood stated that it was not and that it was a residential care facility. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 11, 2008 Page 13 of 28