Council approves Green Oaks assisted-living plan, adds trees along Big Run Road

Grove City Council voted to approve the development plan for Green Oaks of Grove City, a proposed 120‑unit assisted‑living community at 4745 Big Run Road, and added a council stipulation requiring five 2‑inch‑caliper deciduous trees along the Big Run Road frontage.

Developer Jared Isenthal, vice president of development for Evergreen Real Estate Group, presented the plan as a final development plan and the second reading of rezoning to a Planned Unit Development (PUD-R). Isenthal said the company conducted a 2025 market study covering a 10‑mile radius and concluded there is demand for senior housing; he said the project was scaled from four stories to three to respond to design concerns and that the development would create more than 50 construction and ongoing jobs and “over $2,700,000 of annual wages” tied to the property.

Council members questioned parking, trip generation and affordability. Planning staff told the council that assisted‑living uses typically generate low vehicle trips and that staff’s review focuses on traffic, lane use and zoning standards rather than market occupancy. On parking and open‑space deviations, staff explained the site is 4.13 acres and the applicant asked for leniency because many services and amenities will be provided inside the building.

On affordability, Isenthal said market private‑pay rates in the area are about $6,000 per month but added the developer expects to serve a mix of income levels. He said Ohio’s 2024 changes to the assisted‑living Medicaid waiver mean Medicaid may now cover the services portion for eligible residents while residents would still pay room and board; Isenthal said the project would set room and board in line with typical Supplemental Security Income (SSI) levels and assist residents in applying for waiver benefits if eligible. The developer also said PUD text restricts the permitted use to assisted living and that the PUD would require residents to be 55 or older for this project.

During debate, Councilmember Berry moved — and the council adopted — an amendment to add five deciduous, 2‑inch‑caliper trees along the Big Run Road frontage; the amendment was carried by roll call. The full resolution approving the development plan, with that stipulation attached, passed in a subsequent roll‑call vote; Mohammed Omar recorded the sole no vote.

The council’s action approves the city’s land‑use and design permissions for Green Oaks; the applicant will proceed to final development‑plan steps and permitting required before construction can begin.

The council heard additional technical clarifications from staff about HVAC window grills, interior stairwells and the project’s internal circulation. Planning staff said they will continue to work with the applicant on final engineering, landscaping placement and required inspections before building permits are issued.