Planning commission recommends approval for Brickwood Assisted Living expansion to 16 beds

Rob Tracy, associate planner with the department, told the Kent County Planning Commission that Brickwood Assisted Living LLC seeks conceptual site‑plan approval and a special exception to expand an existing assisted‑living facility at 5307 Elburn Lane from eight beds to as many as 16. Tracy said the property is in the critical area residential and community residential zoning districts and that staff found the proposal "consistent with the comprehensive plan" and the county's Unified Development Ordinance, while recommending a favorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals with a condition limiting the property's lot coverage to its grandfathered amount (exact figure not specified in the record).

Jay Yerkes of Rosencreek Collaborative, representing the applicant, described the plan to renovate an existing 40‑by‑60 metal pole barn and connect it to the existing facility to create the additional rooms. Yerkes said the facility will be renovated to meet state building code and that an existing outdoor wood‑burning appliance on the pole barn is not intended for use by residents: "They don't use it," he said, and characterized it as equipment left by a previous owner used for a workshop.

Commissioners questioned operational details. One commissioner raised concerns about shared bathrooms and whether the design would provide sufficient bathing access; Yerkes said final design work with the architect remains to be completed and that assisted‑living operations often schedule guided bathing so fewer fixtures can serve residents safely. On parking, staff and the applicant noted the ordinance requires one parking space per five patient beds; for 16 beds that requires four spaces and the applicant proposed seven spaces on site. A commissioner pressed whether visiting days or ambulance access could create congestion; the applicant and staff said the proposal meets the code requirement and provides vehicle circulation and a patient loading/unloading area.

Commissioners also discussed sewer allocations. Staff confirmed the property is served by public sewer but said it may require additional sewer allocation to support 16 beds and that allocations are controlled in coordination with the town of Rock Hall; staff said lack of an allocation would halt the project until one is available.

After discussion, the commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals. The roll‑call vote as read at the meeting recorded five votes in favor and one vote against: Bill Crowdy, Paul Rugay, Sean Jones, James Saunders and the chair voted "aye," and John Quinn was recorded as "no." The commission's recommendation covers the special‑exception criteria in Article 3 and the general site‑plan standards in Article 4 and 5 of the Unified Development Ordinance.

The Planning Commission noted several site‑plan issues to be resolved in subsequent review rounds, including final architectural details, parking circulation for visiting days and confirmation of sewer allocation, and advised the applicant to continue working with staff on those items. The matter will proceed to the Board of Appeals for the formal special‑exception decision.