The Planning and Zoning Commission has voted 5-2 to recommend that the Town Council deny a planned area development (PAD) proposal for an assisted living facility on Trevino Drive at Saguaro Boulevard.

Commission members had a number of questions about the plan for Town Senior Planner Marissa Moore and representatives of CA Ventures, the developer of the project. None of the commissioners made comment regarding their vote.

Commissioner Christopher Jones said he did believe the applicant had done a thorough job in attempting to address the concerns raised previously by the council as well as the neighbors.

Jones said he believes more work could be done related to the Spanish Mission architectural style.

A contingent of residents totaling around two dozen attended the meeting with 10 speaking to the commission in unanimous opposition to the plan.

Larry Meyers said the plan does not meet the requirements of the underlying C-1 zoning as it is supposed to. He said the project is not designed as commercial to serve modest neighborhood needs. He added that the project is detrimental to the neighborhood as reflected by those in the neighborhood who turned out for the meeting.

“There is only one reason for this and that is the town is chasing development fee dollars at the expense of the neighbors,” Meyers said. “This is where the town finally says yes to its citizens and no to development.”

Joanne Meehan said the plan does not in any way adhere to the town’s strategic plan. She said the project is in a highly visible location and would have a sign “Fountain Hills Senior Living,” saying that only adds to the perception that Fountain Hills is “Sun City East.”

Jane Bell focused on the demographics and questioned the viability of the project.

“We have two facilities now,” Bell said. “They have a total together of 72 empty beds. This type of facility needs 65 percent occupancy to survive, if you take away more people there is a good chance all three may fail.

“Thin margins also mean poor quality care.”

Chris Russ, representing CA Ventures said they find Fountain Hills and this site to be very desirable. Russ said the industry looks at needing four years to fill after construction. With approximately two years for plan review and construction he said that within the five to six year window they are projecting more than 1,000 needing such a facility

Following a council rejection in February CA Ventures went back to the drawing board and sat down six times with neighbors to discuss their concerns.

These meetings were led by Attorney Nick Wood with the firm of Snell & Wilmer.

“My approach is that zoning is not a right, but a privilege that has to be earned,” Wood said. “I feel I can stand here and say that we deserve consideration.”

Wood said he was very pleased with the way the discussions with neighbors went, saying he believes it has made a better project. However it is clear they have not swayed many of the neighbors.

CA Ventures is a Chicago firm and is requesting a PAD (planned area development) to overlay C-1 zoning at the site for the proposed assisted living. It is requesting nine waivers from the C-1 zoning requirements for the property.

The waivers include a special use permit for the retirement-focused multi-family use, rerouting drainage, reduction of space from building wall to drive curb, expansion of roadway easement, two 40-foot drives off Trevino, sign height, reduction of planting requirements, allow a screen wall up to 10-foot height and a waiver of sidewalk construction along Burkemo Drive.

The developer is proposing a two-story, 126,000-square-foot facility on 5.74 acres. The building footprint is 78,000 square feet.

The facility will accommodate 141 beds providing assisted living and memory care suites. There are plans for multiple dining options, community room, clubhouse/lounge with pool, physical therapy and exercise rooms, library and salon.

The PAD request is scheduled to go to the Town Council for a public hearing and consideration at its regular session on Tuesday, June 5. The meeting will be held in council chambers at Town Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m.