Hudson staff propose narrower zoning for assisted‑living and continuing‑care facilities

City planning staff told Hudson City Council on July 8 that they drafted a zoning change to remove “assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, and institutional residential” from allowed uses in commercial‑focused districts and to concentrate those uses primarily in District 3.

A staff presenter said the change follows a recommendation in the city’s recently adopted comprehensive plan “to limit large scale living facilities based on emergency service needs.” The staff summary described District 3 as “closer in to the community and closer to emergency services.”

Why this matters: The proposed amendment would change where senior housing and institutional residential facilities can be built in Hudson and could affect future development proposals. Existing facilities would not be forced to close under the draft; the staff presenter said, “They would become non conforming uses. They could certainly remain in their existing state, but it would put limits on the amount of expansion that they could do.”

What happened at the meeting: Staff confirmed the amendment is a staff‑initiated draft and said they discussed the matter with emergency services and the planning commission during review. Council members asked clarifying questions. Council President Foster said the item will go to a first reading the following week; no final council action occurred at the July 8 workshop.

Questions raised: Councilor Kowalski asked whether existing facilities would be grandfathered; staff answered they would become nonconforming and that expansion would be limited. Staff also said they would engage emergency services further as part of the planning commission review.

Ending: The amendment was placed on the council’s agenda for a first reading at the next regular meeting; council did not adopt the ordinance on July 8.