Senior living facility gets approval for four-story building

Developer may build up to 130 units

Peters council on Monday granted a conditional use approval for a fourstory senior living facility in the McMurray Town Center area, but the vote was split, 4-2.

Frank Arcuri and Robert Lewis were opposed, and Frank Kosir abstained.

Waters Senior Living Holdings LLC of Minneapolis wants to build the facility, which would have up to 130 units, on about four acres at Friar Lane and Valley Brook Road.

A four-story building is permitted as a conditional use in the town center zoning district, and council’s vote granted conditional use approval to Waters.

“This has gone to the planning commission, and the planning commission has suggested a number of conditions,” township Manager Paul Lauer said.

One of the main conditions is that if, after a traffic study is completed at the site, a turning lane is warranted off Valley Brook Road, Waters would be responsible for installing the lane.

Grant Shiring of PVE Engineering, which is working with Waters, said it would accept the conditions, but if a turning lane is warranted based on the traffic that is at the intersection now, he did not believe it should be the developer’s responsibility to install the lane.

“It’s a low-traffic generator,” Mr. Shiring said of the senior living facility.

Council insisted that if a lane is warranted, Waters should be responsible for it.

Mr. Arcuri, who lives in the area of the proposed facility said he opposed the project because he does not believe it is in compliance with the township’s comprehensive plan.

“I’m not a big fan of what’s proposed. I just don’t think that’s what we want in that area,” he said.

Councilman James Berquist disagreed.

“I think it’s a good use of that particular location and exactly what the comprehensive plan says” because the township needs more homes for the elderly, he said.

“I think it’s a good use of that particular location and exactly what the comprehensive plan says” because the township needs more homes for the elderly. James Berquist, councilman