Members of the public will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed location of a new multi-million dollar seniors' housing facility, which Mountain View Seniors' Housing (MVSH) officials received provincial funding for in October.
The proposed location is on municipally-owned land south of 6 Avenue and east of 6 Street, which is currently an open field. Town of Sundre officials have set a public hearing for March 17.
Of the feedback town officials have received so far, there has been mixed reaction.
During the council meeting on Feb. 18, council approved first reading of a land use bylaw amendment, which rezones the property from urban reserve district (UR) to general residential district (R-2).
The amendment will allow for the construction of the seniors' residence, known formerly as an adult care residence and apartment.
The amendment also includes a site-specific amendment to allow office uses on the property, according to Erin O'Neill, the town's manager of planning and development.
The application for the amendment was circulated to all landowners within 120 metres of the proposed site. Town officials have since received both positive and negative feedback from the landowners.
ìTwo 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,î reported O'Neill.
ìIt 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.
ìFurther, these residents were invited to attend the public hearing.î
Another resident told O'Neill they were ìthrilledî with the application and said ìwe know this was part of the concept from the very beginning and are so excited to see it come to fruition.î
Alberta Health Services officials told O'Neill the location may be close to the flood plain zone and could be subject to flooding.
ìBased 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,î 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.
Second and third readings of the bylaw amendment could be considered following the public hearing in March.
