Council reviews rezoning and plan development for former Fairfield Road nursing home proposed as senior housing

City planning staff and the project architect presented a proposal to rezone 2.71 acres at 1699 Fairfield Road and approve a single‑phase plan development to convert the former nursing home into senior housing.

Planning commission representative Sam summarized the application as a request to rezone from R‑2A (two‑family residential) to R‑3 (multi‑family residential) to allow reuse of the large existing building “so they can gain more potential units because of the size of the building,” he said. The developer’s plan would convert interior corridors to exterior‑facing apartment entrances and add parking and a one‑way circle drive off Fairfield Road.

Architect Scott Webb described the adaptive reuse approach and the advantages of reusing an existing structure: “the most cost effective building is the one you don't have to build,” Webb said. He said the project proposes 44 units (37 one‑bedroom and seven two‑bedroom), with common space, and would be an unstaffed private senior apartment complex rather than an assisted‑living facility.

Planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning tied to approval of the plan development; the applicant has also offered a recorded deed restriction limiting occupancy to residents aged 55 and older as a condition of the rezoning. Staff and commissioners noted multiple waiver requests related to setbacks, lot coverage and entrances that face interior courtyards rather than the street; these waivers were included in the plan development filing and reviewed by planning commission.

Councilors raised accessibility and unit‑mix questions. The architect confirmed the building is single‑level and that accessible, no‑step routes will connect parking to units; doorway widths were described as a minimum of 36 inches. Council also discussed whether the unit mix might shift (for example combining units to create additional two‑bedrooms) during final design.

A compliance concern arose during council discussion: staff said the property owner is not currently obtaining rental permits for other properties he owns and is “not in compliance” with the city’s rental‑permit program. One councilor said they would consider withholding support at second reading unless the owner brought all rental permits and any fines into compliance.

This was a first‑reading agenda item and no final rezoning vote was taken. Planning commission and staff recommended tying the rezoning to the approved plan development and recording the deed restriction to preserve the senior‑housing focus.