A Louisville, Kentucky, company wants to construct a four-story assisted-living facility on more than 6 acres along Chester Boulevard.
Richmond Advisory Plan Commission members heard during their Sept. 25 meeting a rezoning petition that would permit that construction. Members voted 7-0 to recommend Richmond Common Council approve the request to rezone 1901 Chester Blvd. from light commercial (LC) zoning to intense multi-family residential (M2).
Common Council is expected to conduct its public hearing on the matter and make the final decision during its Oct. 7 meeting.
Marian Development Group has purchase agreements for 1901 and 1907 Chester Blvd. and plans to combine the parcels for the assisted-living facility. The 1907 property was rezoned M2 during March 2021 when a developer planned townhomes for the site. A house was demolished from the property, and it currently sits vacant.
Jarrod Burgess, a developer with Marian, showed plan commission members photos of similar Indiana projects in Jeffersonville and Columbus. He said a Richmond development would be similar with about 120 units, including about 35 memory-care units. The developments, called Vivera Senior Living, offer a variety of floor plans, amenities and buses for transportation.
If the rezoning is approved, Burgess said construction could begin during the first quarter of 2025 with the 18-month construction process ending in the third quarter of 2026.
Amanda Marquis, executive director of The Leland Legacy, said that six assisted-living facilities already operate within five miles of the Chester Boulevard site, and none is at capacity. She questioned whether adding an additional facility would create hiring difficulties for nursing and other staff and whether enough residents could be found.
“Oversaturation does leave us all at risk,” she said.
Burgess said Marian’s market research leaves the company confident there’s sufficient demand for the project. Marian’s presentation also noted that the Richmond Rising plan indicates the city’s top challenge is its aging population and a lack of amenities and housing options for that population.
Before the commission vote, Bruce Wissel, the chair, said business issues, such as personnel or demand, fall beyond the commission’s consideration.
Neighbors Robert McFarland and Amy Walton shared concerns about the structure that would be behind their homes. The targeted land is bordered by commercial buildings to the north and a Speedway gas station, Animal Welfare League shelter and Chester Heights Apartments to the south. Homes are contiguous to the long, narrow tracts on the east side.
McFarland is concerned about clearing mature trees and proper collection of water runoff. He said the city has not assisted him when he experienced runoff problems from Chester Boulevard properties.
George Sowers, an attorney representing Marian, said the company would like to maintain a 90-foot setback from the east property line, leaving as many trees as possible. The preliminary site plan also includes a retention pond.
Walton said the proposed building is too large for the available land. She also would be looking from her backyard at the building and its lights, saying the facility would negatively impact her life.
Another Chester Boulevard request for M2 zoning is on the plan commission’s agenda for its Oct. 23 meeting. This request to rezone Berryfield Park would enable Chester Heights to expand with three 24-unit buildings.
A version of this article appeared in the October 2 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.