Golden Valley Considers Senior Living Community
The Golden Valley City Council will soon have a big decision on its hands: that’s whether to approve a new senior living community in a residential neighborhood
The proposal by Watermark Senior Living would consolidate three single-family-home lots, tearing down some vacant homes and removing large trees. The proposed building is near Highway 100 and Golden Valley Road. According to city documents, it would be 25 units and two and a half stories tall.
The property is currently zoned commercial and would be changed single-family residential. While city planning officials say the proposal would fit the proposed zoning criteria, some planning commission members raised concerns during a nearly four-hour discussion Monday night.
Neighbor Concerns
Neighbors also raised concerns. One calling the project a “monstrosity.” Another says it would eliminate the neighborhood feel.
“It’s unconscionable the planning commission would undertake the approval of this proposal which inherently deviates from the objectives of the 2040 comprehensive plan, by destroying single-family detached residences,” said Ryan Thompson, who lives near the project.
“This building, as you’ve seen in other talks, completely towers over the rest of our neighborhood,” said neighbor Mike Nelson. “I mean there’s nothing that even matches it.”
“Again, it’s not that we’re against senior housing, but we’re for the integrity of our neighborhood,” said Pamela Wandzel, who also lives near the project.
The Watermark proposal has come up before, though in a different iteration. The planning commission recommended denial at that time when it called for a larger building and more units.
This time, the planning commission recommended approval with several conditions, including adequate landscaping to help shield the building from neighboring homes. Two members sided against the project. The Golden Valley City Council has the final say. Its next meeting is Dec. 4.
