A $90 million, six-storey, 114-unit seniors housing facility is proposed at the southwest corner of Freeman Park.
New Essence Health Care Management Services Ltd. is seeking an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning to facilitate the highrise development at 2940 14th Ave. City council will consider the rezoning tonight.
“This new Seniors community will be a vibrant residential ‘village’ within a neighborhood setting, providing seniors with an activity-focused lifestyle for healthy living,” a presentation from the developer to city council says. “Possible uses for the development would include Independent living, Supportive, Assisted Living, Memory Care with onsite family suites allowing the flow of all age involvement in the health spectrum engaging with our seniors.”
The building could include a variety of amenities, including a café/bistro, pharmacy, post office, health care offices, seniors health services and activities, including community programs for non-residents.
The developer would look to work with partners, including the city, Northern Health and non-profit groups. Once complete, the project would help meet the city’s need for seniors housing and create 80 full-time jobs.
City administration is recommending city council deny the rezoning request.
“The surrounding neighbourhood (west and south of the subject property) is predominately low-medium density residential housing in two-unit and row housing forms,” Deanna Wasnik, city director of planning of development services, wrote in her report. “The proposed six (6) storey apartment is not consistent with the size and scale of existing low-medium density housing forms in the surrounding area and reflects a scale of development supported elsewhere such as in the downtown or along Queensway.”
The proposed development would be twice as tall as the nearby Hartley Manor and Elizabeth Fry Housing Society apartment buildings. The 10-storey-tall Cedar Towers apartment on 15th Avenue was built prior to the adoption of the OCP, Wasnik added.
