Akron Ohio News - Developer makes case for second senior living facility in Green

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Developer makes case for second senior living facility in Green

5/24/2012 - South Side Leader

By Emily Chesnic

GREEN — A local developer says he is ready to offer city of Green’s aging population a safe, caring and fun environment to live in that still is close to “home,” if Council gives him the OK.

John Warmus was present at the May 22 Green City Council meeting regarding his request for the city to rezone 11.56 acres of land he owns on the south side of Boettler Road from Single-Family Residential to Planned Development (PD).

A public hearing was held at the start of the meeting regarding the possible zoning change and Warmus’ general development plan for Green Pointe, a proposed assisted-living facility to be located next to Green High School and across the street from FedEx Custom Critical.

Warmus said his request included the rezoning of an office building he currently owns at 1402 Boettler Road so he had the 10 acres of land needed for a PD. He confirmed during the public hearing he would keep the office building in place, and the senior living facility would not disrupt the residents in the area.

According to Warmus, Green is in need of another type of senior housing, and the site on Boettler Road is a “great central location.” He said his project is primarily residential and would not create additional traffic on Boettler.

“I also want to make sure all of Council knows this is not a nursing home,” Warmus said. “This is for 90 seniors who want to live near family and stay in Green. They are 65 to over 100 and are active. They are moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, and they deserve a place in our city where they will be safe and secure. I think it will be a facility the entire city will be proud of and many families will become a part of.”

Warmus developed the GreenView Inn, at 4000 Massillon Road, which reportedly has reached full capacity. GreenView Director Judy Terry told Council during the public hearing that Green seniors are disappointed there no longer are openings at GreenView.

Warmus shared a rendering of Greene Pointe during the public hearing to communicate the vision he has for the project. He said the facility would have an “upscale, residential look.” The drawing shows Green Pointe would be a stone building with brick accents and include covered porch areas and an outdoor gathering place. The facility also would include a central dining area, social area, worship chapel, café and coffee bar, small pub, old-fashioned ice cream parlor, movie theater and other amenities to enjoy with family and friends, he said.

“I am asking Council to help make it a reality,” Warmus said.

During the public hearing, staff and residents of GreenView spoke out in favor of the project.

However, Barbara McCord, of 1388 Boettler Road, expressed frustration with the rezoning proposition and agreed there is a need for assisted living but would rather see it put on land already zoned for such a project. She cited past court battles and a ballot issue that supported keeping portions of Boettler zoned residential.

She said she wants to protect the value of her family’s 14 acres on Boettler and asked Council to help her.

“How would you like your dream homes’ — that you built and planned and hammered the nails into — value and privacy taken over by a business?” she asked Council. “Would you like a business to go next door to you?”

Mayor Dick Norton said he often gets calls from those requesting senior housing options in the city and would like to see Council support the project.

“It is a great use of the land, and we owe it to our seniors to provide them with places to stay in community,” he said.

Councilman Gerard Neugebauer (at large) said the issue would be discussed further at next month’s committee meetings and may be voted on in early June.

During the regular meeting, Council approved modifying appropriations within certain funds. Finance Director Larry Rush explained some of the modifications during the Finance Committee meeting held just before the regular meeting.

He said the Engineering Department wishes to add a technical support staff member, so $28,400 is being appropriated for the position, as well as about $5,000 for health insurance. An executive session was held following the committee meetings to discuss the possibility of the new position in the Engineering Department.

Rush explained the resolution also would allow the city to appropriate about $4,500 for a possible Lifeline Medical Alert Program. Public Service Director Randall Monteith explained the proposed program would connect Green seniors in need with a medical alert system.

The resolution also appropriates $10,000 so dispatch employees could have the opportunity to sell back unused vacation time, Rush said.

Also during the meeting:

• Council awarded a contract to Danmark Construction for the Hartong House Rehabilitation Project for a total cost of $45,900. Councilman John Summerville (Ward 4) said Danmark was the lowest bidder for the project, which is being funded by the city and through a grant for approximately $14,000. The project will restore the house to its original condition, he added.

• Council heard the second reading of an ordinance changing the zoning classification of property containing approximately 49.2 acres of land from Single-Family Residential to PD; 18.5 acres of land from Professional Office to PD; 65.4 acres of land from Neighborhood Business to PD; and 113.4 acres of land from General Industrial to PD located on the east side of Massillon Road, west side of Interstate 77, and the north and south sides of Wise Road, and accepting the general development plan for the Union Square and Park Place developments.

A public hearing concerning the ordinance will be held June 12 at 7:05 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Central Administration Building (CAB), 1755 Town Park Blvd.

• Council heard the first reading of a resolution to authorize the city to purchase property located at 1795 Steese Road from Harold Harsh for $175,000. The resolution will be discussed further at the next Planning Committee meeting.

• Council President Joel Reed (at large) announced the Rules and Personnel Committee selected Tammy Charlson, of Canal Fulton, to serve as deputy clerk of Council. Reed said Charlson, a former Canal Fulton Council clerk, was chosen May 17 after several interviews for the position were conducted. According to township officials, she will begin her employment with the city June 4 and work four hours a day for 20 hours a week. She will make $15.36 an hour, Reed said.

• Norton announced the annual Memorial Day Parade will take place May 28. The parade kick-off will be at 10 a.m. from Green High School, and a ceremony, luncheon and car show will follow. Before the parade, the Green Fire Department will host a pancake breakfast, by donation, beginning at 7 a.m. at station No. 1, at the corner of Massillon and Steese roads, he said. [See related story on Page 1.]

• A hazardous waste drop-off will be held June 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the South Annex, 5383 Massillon Road. Monteith said Green residents may drop off household hazardous waste materials, including paint products, pesticides, cleaners, mercury and fuels. [See related News & Notes item on Page 1.]

Council’s next regular meeting is set for June 12 beginning at 5 p.m. for committee meetings and continuing at 7 p.m. for the Council meeting, in Council Chambers at the CAB.

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