Council briefed on major amendment to Deerfield Retirement Community conditional zoning; PNZ recorded split recommendation

City planning staff briefed the City Council on a conditional zoning application that would amend the 2021 conditional zoning approval for the Deerfield Retirement Community to allow a major expansion of the existing retirement campus.

The amendment proposal centers on development concentrated on the southern half of the main parcel, including new building construction and additions to existing structures such as the skilled nursing facility and the community center, plus related parking, open space and sidewalk improvements. Staff said the amendment is similar in scale to the previously approved conditional zoning but contains notable differences that are shown in the application exhibits.

Planning & Zoning (PNZ) considered the application the night before the briefing. Staff initially said the PNZ recommendation was unanimous but then corrected that the Planning & Zoning vote was reported as 4–1; staff said they would ensure the correct PNZ vote is stated in the Sept. 9 staff report and presentation.

Staff did not present a final council recommendation at the briefing; the item will proceed through the council public hearing process at the Sept. 9 meeting. No formal council vote was taken during the agenda briefing.