Council approves Harmony assisted‑living and memory care project with conditions

Town planning staff recommended and council approved a conditional use permit on Feb. 11 for Harmony Assisted Living and Memory Care, a proposed facility on about 6.4 acres at the northeast corner of Club Drive and Harmony Road.

Staff described the project as a 145,600‑square‑foot, primarily 2‑story building with a stepped third story (third‑floor height measured to the top of a stairwell at about 49 feet, 10 inches). The project site plan concept presented to council showed a two‑lane auto court and covered drop‑off at the main entrance, extensive perimeter landscaping and walking paths, resident courtyards (including a secure memory‑care courtyard) and a nature‑viewing area adjacent to the Lake Canal.

Applicant Elton Development and project team members said the facility is designed as a continuum model that allows residents to access increasing levels of care on site. The development team and staff presented metrics: the site is about 6.4 acres; the building footprint is roughly 1.3 acres (about 21% of site); total number of units is 50 — described in project materials as 26 assisted‑living units (mix of studios and one‑ and two‑bedrooms) and 24 memory‑care studio units. Staff showed onsite parking of 122 spaces (116 standard and six accessible), and stated 58% of the site would remain as open space with about 21% qualifying as active open space (exceeding the 5% requirement).

Planning staff reviewed the conditional use criteria (conformance with zoning, compatibility with surrounding character, utilities availability, effects on adjacent development, traffic impact) and concluded the proposal met the standards. Staff also reported that referral agencies and utility providers raised no outstanding objections and that Planning Commission had recommended approval by a 5‑0 vote. Two written public comments were received and included in the council packet; no speakers signed up to speak at the meeting.

Council adopted Resolution No. 11, Series 2025, approving the conditional use permit with two explicit conditions: site lighting must not exceed a 3,000 Kelvin color temperature and lighting design must limit spill and glare; and the applicant must add evergreen plantings along the eastern site edge where feasible to provide year‑round screening.

Council members discussed view corridors to adjacent residential lots, emergency access and traffic. Staff and the applicant said the site’s topography allowed the building to be “tucked” into grade to preserve sight lines and that a secondary emergency access off Harmony Road would be provided for use only by emergency vehicles. Staff noted the facility will generate substantially fewer peak trips than a comparable multifamily or commercial development — roughly 30% of trips of a similar multifamily development and about 25% of an equivalent commercial use — because residents drive less.

Council members expressed support, noting the facility meets the Harmony Corridor overlay intent and fills a local need for senior housing options; the resolution passed by unanimous vote.