Amendments to allow nursing home clear first reading

BY KIRK STARRATT

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

The project has been made a top priority by the County of Kings because of a tight provincial timeline, and final approval could come as early as the June council session. Amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to allow Shannex to develop a nursing home in Greenwich have cleared first reading.

Planner Dawn Sutherland reported at the May council session that the proposed 50-bed licensed long-term care facility would be located at the end of the cul-de-sac on Jessica Way, a proposed new municipal road, in the Greenwich Park subdivision off Highway 1 in Greenwich.

Shannex Health Care wants to build the long-term care facility as a component of a possible future “retirement campus” that would include a retirement or assisted living facility and multi-unit buildings for independent living. The subject site, approximately 16 acres in size, is currently vacant. As many as 174 units could be constructed there by the time the development is completed.

In April, the planning advisory committee (PAC) considered a staff report regarding the establishment of policies for a new zone, Hamlet Residential Community Care (R11), that would allow for long-term care facilities and residential community care uses as-of-right in Greenwich. Sutherland said the amendments include a concurrent rezoning of the subject land. Sutherland pointed out that the subject property is currently zoned Residential (R7), not Agricultural.

Part of Continuous Care Strategy

Sutherland said the facilities would be constructed as part of the province’s Continuous Care Strategy and there is an aggressive schedule to build similar facilities in several locations across the province. Shannex was awarded the contract for the proposed Greenwich development in December.

“It followed the regular public participation and legislative process, but was given priority because of the timeframe,” Sutherland said.

There were some concerns expressed to PAC in relation to the proposed development. The Greenwich fire chief (Randy Schofield) had concerns regarding the volume and pressure of water in the line on Jessica Way. However, the superintendent of the New Minas Water Commission (Peter Pothier) stated there is adequate water supply available for firefighting. The Village of New Minas engineering firm tested the line and confirmed that the water system does have adequate firefighting capacity.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal had “no obvious concerns” with the Shannex application so no traffic impact study is required.

The county’s Engineering and Public Works department has stated that upgrades to two sanitary sewer lift stations will be required in the near future regardless of when the Shannex development goes forward, but the work should be done concurrently. An evaluation will be completed in May.

Subdivision approval only days away

The final subdivision plan will create the proposed new municipal road, Jessica Way, as well as 14 residential lots and the remainder lot, which is the subject lot in this planning application. Staff anticipated approval of the final plan of subdivision in early May.

PAC recommended first reading of the amendments to council, pending approval of the final plan of subdivision. Sutherland said at the May 6 session that the final subdivision approval was only days away.

Councillor Chris Parker, who represents Greenwich, said he has received two calls from people with concerns. One concern had to do with the fact that the project wasn’t being sited at the old Horton High School property. However, the site didn’t meet provincial criteria.

Parker called it a good project and said he’d like to see the proposal proceed to a public hearing. He said the facility had to be sited within eight kilometres of Wolfville and, once completed, it would nearly double the property assessment in the community. Warden Fred Whalen pointed out that the proposed development would be worth an estimated $40 million.

Sutherland said Kings Transit is aware of an application to have bus service run to and from the proposed development.

Council gave first reading to the amendments at the May session. The matter will now proceed to a public hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at the county council chambers in Kentville. Second and final reading of the enabling amendments could come as soon as the Tuesday, June 3 council session.