Waverly proposes 225‑unit life‑care community at 452 Roberts Road in Radnor

Jamie Jen, speaking for Waverly Senior Services, presented a sketch plan for application 217865 to redevelop the former private school at 452 Roberts Road into a life‑care residence. The plan described 225 units total — 200 independent living and 25 assisted living — with the main mansion (Robinson Hall) and a single‑story dwelling proposed to remain as a leasing office while most other campus buildings would be removed. Jen told the commission the applicant anticipates filing a zoning application by the end of the week and that a special exception before the zoning hearing board will be required.

Tom Garvin, president and CEO of Waverly Heights, said the organization serves about 365 residents at its Gladwin campus and that demand is high: "We have well over 700 people on our priority membership list," he said. Garvin described the concept as a not‑for‑profit model that would allow people from the Radnor area to remain locally as they age. Applicants noted two existing access points on South Roberts Road would be retained and widened to township standards and that the sketch plan includes a maintenance building, a welcome house and a placeholder for an EMS substation that would be worked out later.

The commission treated the submission as a sketch plan only and did not vote to approve or reject the project tonight. Applicants and the commission agreed the proposal will return for preliminary and final plan reviews after the applicant pursues the required zoning approvals.