03-11-24-SWS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION-MARCH 11, 2024 2 a 208-bed facility with five floors, they'd like to replace it with a four-story building with skilled nursing on the first two floors and 72 beds, and the top two floors would be independent living. In addition, they would like to build another small wing of independent living apartments. Overall, they would be removing 136 units of skilled nursing, and adding 77 units of independent living. The net change in units would be -59, with a new proposed count of 351 units. There would be no changes to public infrastructure, building height or materials. It would be connected to the main building with a proposed walkway and they would likely need to do some investment into the central mechanical system. They will likely see a reduction in traffic to the site, due to the change in staff needed. They aren't anticipating any variances however they would likely have a slight increase to the FAR, and increase to impervious surface and may require minor modifications to landscaping. Mr. Fletcher described the concept plan drawings. Councilmember Fabel asked what would happen to people that are in the 136 skilled care units they are reducing. Mr. Fletcher said 80 of the 208 skilled care apartments are currently not occupied. There are 50 beds available at Langton Shores a couple of blocks away while they transition. They will also stop accepting new residents, and the goal is to not push people out or move them out of the building but work their way down through natural attrition. They will also move staff to other locations in close proximity. Overall their goal system wide is to rebalance their skilled nursing portfolio geographically; the challenge is some areas have high concentration of demand but not high concentration of staff. Councilmember Fabel said he had a concern with parking and the addition of more independent living but there is no additional parking shown. Mr. Fletcher stated there will be one level of underground parking in the new buildings. Councilmember Fabel asked if any of the additional living was planned to be affordable. Mr. Fletcher said they haven't yet gotten to the point of setting prices. Their intent is always to try to include some level of affordability. Councilmember Fabel wondered if residents would be able to stay in the same apartment as their service needs change. Mr. Fletcher replied that they encourage residents to age in place, to the extent of licensing requirements of the care brought to them. Mayor Grant asked if the net square footage will be an increase or decrease. Mr. Fletcher said he didn't know the exact square footage but there would be an increase in the FAR. Councilmember Rousseau noted that care facilities are in high demand and wondered why they were only looking at four stories instead of going higher.