Commission backs preliminary plan for 130‑unit senior housing building with memory care, with conditions

The Verona Planning Commission on Feb. 2 recommended that the Common Council approve a preliminary plan to build a multistory 130‑unit senior housing facility west of County Highway M and south of Morningside Boulevard. The plan calls for 60 independent living units, 40 assisted living units, 24 memory care units and 6 respite care units, serving up to 161 residents.

City staff presented the project as a planned development that requires several exemptions and a development agreement. Staff said the building is proposed at 45 feet with a requested height exception up to 51 feet, and noted a requested patio setback exception from 20 feet to 10 feet to allow patios closer to sidewalks and the planned grassland terrace. Staff also noted that the memory care portion is treated as a community living use under the zoning ordinance and that the applicant has proposed siting that avoids a 2,500‑foot buffer from other community living facilities; staff recommended approval with conditions listed in the packet.

Commissioners questioned parking and site layout. One commissioner noted staff’s recommendation for 60 underground parking stalls while the applicant proposes providing 30 below grade; staff said the project meets parking requirements but departs from the common practice of providing more underground stalls. Commissioners also requested consultation with the director of senior services regarding handicapped parking location. The applicant explained that memory‑care doors are placed in a lockdown configuration requiring a code or biometric to exit and that a fenced courtyard is planned to reduce elopement risk.

Commissioners voiced general support for increasing senior housing supply while noting concerns about patio proximity to a busy highway (acoustics) and the underground parking shortfall. Chair moved and the commission passed a recommendation to the Common Council to approve the preliminary plan with the specified exemptions (remove 2,500‑foot buffer for memory care, increase max height to 51 feet, reduce patio setback to 10 feet) and the condition that the preliminary plan becomes effective upon approval of the final plan.