Commission backs Stonebridge Commons plan, forwards rezoning and senior overlay to council
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Summary
After developer revisions and neighborhood meetings, the commission recommended rezoning to R22, approved a preliminary plat and forwarded a conditional‑use permit for a senior overlay for Stonebridge Commons to city council; the site plan was approved with a condition to review lighting at Old Canals and Mexico Road.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 4 recommended rezoning and approved a package of land‑use approvals for Stonebridge Commons, a proposed community of paired villas and residential assisted‑living buildings at the corner of Canal and Mexico roads.
Developers presented a revised concept that removed retail, preserved the closure of Old Canals Road where neighbors asked it be kept closed and located the assisted‑living buildings at the commercial corner. The proposal calls for 39 paired villas (for‑sale units marketed to 55+ buyers) and five assisted‑living buildings with a shared clubhouse and private parking areas; developers said they plan to offer caregiving ratios and that they are pursuing a certificate of need for senior beds.
Public advocate Arnie C. Deenoff urged retaining more commercial acreage on Mexico Road to support sales‑tax revenue and expressed concern about potential use of state or local tax credits; developer representatives and local counsel said they had iteratively changed the plan after resident feedback and that they see a demonstrated need for senior beds.
The commission voted to recommend rezoning a portion of the site from CO Office to R22 and to approve the preliminary plat and conditional use permit for the senior overlay. The site‑plan approval included the addition of a staff‑reviewed photometric plan to ensure adequate street lighting at the Old Canals Road/Mexico Road intersection.
What they said
EJ Sansone (developer): "We heard neighbor concerns and amended the plan to keep Old Canals closed and remove other access points."
Bob DeClu (Harmony Homes): "We care for no more than 16 seniors in any one home," describing the residential assisted‑living approach and staffing ratios.
Next steps: The rezoning and conditional‑use recommendations will be considered by city council in two weeks; developers must supply photometric/lighting plans and other improvement‑plan materials as conditions of site‑plan approval.
