Planning Commission extends deadline for Wellwood Assisted Living; developer must substantially start construction by April 20, 2026

The Planning Commission voted to extend the site plan approval for Wellwood Assisted Living, with commissioners saying the Board of Appeals’ use approval will expire on April 20, 2026, and work must be substantially started by that date.

Kevin, a planning staff member, told the commission that the extension granted previously by the Board of Appeals will expire on April 20, 2026. “That is basically their limit now… they’d have to be substantially started on the construction,” Kevin said. Commissioner Coates announced he would abstain from the proceedings and took a seat in the audience. A motion to extend the approval was made and seconded; Commissioners Jimmy and Phil voted in favor and the motion passed.

The extension gives the applicant roughly eight months of additional time, staff said. Kevin did not present a formal staff report but asked the applicant to explain their current status to the commission. Commissioners raised no further conditions at the meeting beyond the requirement that construction be substantially started before the April 20, 2026 expiration noted by staff.

No additional funding, bond, or timetable details were provided at the hearing. The commission’s action was limited to extending the site plan approval; it did not alter Board of Appeals conditions or substitute any bond arrangements in public discussion.

The applicant and any project changes were not presented in detail during the meeting. The commission’s approval requires the applicant to meet the April 20, 2026 substantial-start threshold cited by staff; if that deadline is not met, the underlying use approval will expire.