The location for the new multi-million dollar seniors' housing facility, which Mountain View Seniors' Housing (MVSH) officials received provincial funding for in October, has been approved.
The location is on municipally-owned land south of 6 Avenue and east of 6 Street, which is currently an open field.
During the council meeting on March 17, council approved a land use bylaw amendment to rezone the property from urban reserve district (UR) to general residential district (R-2).
The amendment allows for the construction of the seniors' residence, known formerly as an adult care residence and apartment. It also includes a site-specific amendment to allow office uses on the property.
A public hearing was held on March 17 during the council meeting. About 20 people were in attendance, and there was mixed reaction from residents.
The architect of the new facility was present to explain the design. He said there are rooms designed for seniors with dementia and mobility issues.
There will also be a separate building for a daily care centre available to all senior residents of Sundre, which is designed as a two-storey building, he said.
Resident Gerald Moore said he lives near the site and requested that the daily care centre building be restricted to two storeys in the bylaw.
Coun. Paul Isaac, who was filling in for Mayor Terry Leslie, asked who was in favour of the project. About 10 people raised their hands. He then asked who was opposed to the project and no one raised their hands.
Coun. Verna McFadden proposed a motion for second reading of the bylaw with the daily care centre restricted to two storeys. Coun. Jodi Orr said she would like to see it be a three-storey building and thinks it could be fully occupied.
McFadden's motion was defeated, as every other councillor voted against it. Orr put forward a motion for no restriction on the height of the building. The motion was passed, however, McFadden was opposed.
Leslie and Coun. Myron Thompson were absent from the meeting.
The application for the amendment of the bylaw was circulated to all landowners within 120 metres of the proposed site before the public hearing. Town officials received both positive and negative feedback from the landowners.
“Two of the comments received indicated that the adjacent residents would not support any development higher than two storeys and that proper landscaping should be considered to buffer the existing residential development from this development,” reported Erin O'Neill, the town's manager of planning and development.
“It was explained to these individuals that the R-2 zoning would allow for a three-storey building. However, municipal reserve land is proposed to be dedicated on the north and south of the lot to provide additional buffering.”
Another resident told O'Neill they were “thrilled” with the application and said “we know this was part of the concept from the very beginning and are so excited to see it come to fruition.”
Alberta Health Services officials told O'Neill the location may be close to the flood plain zone and could be subject to flooding.
“Based on the mapping provided to the Town of Sundre from the Government of Alberta 2012 Flood Study, the location is neither within a floodway or a flood fringe,” said O'Neill.
Government officials announced in October they were providing a $3.8-million grant towards the facility. The funding is from the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI) grant.
According to Sam Smalldon, MVSH chief administrative officer, the proposed project includes 103 units.
There will be 40 new supportive living spaces in the new facility. Forty-five units will replace the current units at the Foothills Lodge and 18 additional independent living spaces will be available as well.
The 40 new spaces will offer homestyle living, round-the-clock care and meals and services to meet the seniors' needs.
It is expected to open in 2016 and MVSH is expected to pay the balance of an estimated $8 million in construction costs.
