01/12/2006 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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`• 1 unit indicated E-2b - 40.1 square feet • 10 units indicated E-2 - 40 square feet less less than allowed than allowed Note: (2) 1). 1 pole 75', 1 pole 95' and 1 pole 105' requiring variances of 40', 20', & 10'. No indication of degree of cut-off provided therefore an 85 degree was used to base these figures. (Write-up is based on plans received 12/13/05). Per plans received 1/06/06 variance requests remain as written. Michael Gareau Sr., Mr. P. Gareau, with Catholic Charity, Mr. Berardi applicants Architect, Mr. Newberry Project Engineer, Mr. Murtaugh, the Developer, Mr. Hendershott Architect and Councilwoman Nicole Daily-Jones, each came forward to be sworn in and address the request. Applicants presentation; Mr. Gareau Sr. reviewed that North Olmsted had been loolcing at bringing independent and assisted living housing to North Olmsted for many years and is still in the process of establishing guidelines for that type of housing. The applicants have brought their experts to answer the board members questions. Mr. Newberry reviewed that Planning Commission requested the area variances be granted as the building was moved to accommodate the Metroparlcs deed restriction and move the west entrance further away from the west side neighbors home. Code requires one parking space for each unit built as well as one for each employee which will be 20, thereby requiring 150 parking spaces. Current plans show 28 landbanlced parlcing spaces which Planning Commission approved and 112 actual striped parking spaces totaling 140 parking spaces which leave the site 10 parking spaces short. 30 of the units will be assisted living units and past practice has taught them that the assisted living tenants no longer drive and for the most part the independent tenants that can drive will depend on public transpiration and the facilities vans. Variances dealing with lighting issues are hereby withdrawn as it is their intent to meet all city code requirements pertaining to lighting requirements. They will submit new lighting plans meeting all code requirements. Mr. Berardi the project architect indicated that he was present to discuss the sizes of the proposed assisted living units. Out of the proposed 130 units there will be 30 assisted living units which require variances for minimum square footage. The City is currently addressing legislation to change the minimum square footage for assisted living units from 400 square feet to 350 square feet or less. If the city requires assisted living units to have a minimum of 350 square feet then only 8 of the proposed units would require variances. He advised that there were no State restrictions for square footage of assisted living units. State code licenses dealing with assisted living units are listed under nursing home requirements, which require 80 square feet per bed or a room to be 150 square feet, which is less than what they are proposing. He suggested that the proposed square footage of the units are standard sizes for their use. The buildings are designed around the income of the surrounding population. It is their goal to stay within an affordable range of the area when constructing the units. Assisted living units are designed to encourage the tenants to leave their rooms to utilize the public areas. Public space for socialization makes up 43% of the building and the remaining 57% is living area which is beyond what State code requires. Mr. Pat Gareau reviewed that he had worked in the area of developing and operating nursing and assisted living homes for the past 20 years. The sizes of assisted living units are determined by the individual area market. The labor intensive nature of assisted living is what drives the price of the units up. The proposed assisted living units will provide laundry service, 3 square meals, housekeeping, medication assistance, bathing assistance and 24 hour nurses. The proposed unit sizes are not uncommon to the area and their studies have shown that there is a need for units of this size for affordability. It would be a practical difficulty to increase the sizes of the assisted living units and then to try to fit it in their marketing or financial plan. They are a non-profit organization and receive no government assistances or grants so any costs they incur are passed on through rental rates. In a study conducted by the Volunteers of America and Harvard studies released in 2003, out of the 50 States 43 States have minimum square footage requirements of 70 square feet and a maximum square foot 2of11