Saturday, May 24, 2008

Assisted living facility asks BF OK for a zone change

Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer; cgarcia@news-bulletin.com

Bosque Farms A new assisted living care facility may soon call Bosque Farms home depending on whether it gets the go-ahead from both the planning and zoning commission and the village council.

Larry Skelley, a former resident of Bosque Farms, asked the council last week to consider a zone change from Residential 1 to Special Use for the purpose of constructing an assisted living care facility on three adjoining lots on 4.3 acres situated on North Bosque Loop. Skelley, who owns a Beehive Homes franchise in Los Lunas, told the council he plans to build six or seven homes on the property.

While the council told Skelley it was willing to work with him, it decided to table the issue until the planning and zoning commission had a chance to hear the proposal and make a recommendation. A special meeting of the commission had been scheduled last week for the zone change, but because Skelley and other representatives from the company failed to appear, the commission sent the matter to the council without a recommendation.

Skelley told the council that it was his mistake no one was at the meeting, saying he misunderstood when the meeting was to take place.

Several members of the village council also voiced their concerns about the number of homes that Skelley plans to construct on the property. The initial plans for the property included only three homes.

"In a nutshell, we care for the elderly that are able to do a little bit for themselves," Skelley said. "As we do this, we want to give back a little bit, and we feel this is a tremendous service."

Skelley explained that Beehive Homes, a national franchise, has more than 130 homes across the country. He said each Tuscan-style home would be about 7,300 square feet and could be appraised at $1 million.

"They (the clients) would have to be able to do a little bit for themselves, but we prepare all their meals, we help dress them, bathe them, and we'll take them to the doctor — whatever they need," Skelley said. "Their families are an important part of the care we provide for them, and unfortunately, many of them (the residents) die in our homes. So it's the last place they'll live.

"Sometimes, they evolve where they have to be in a nursing home, and we don't provide that level of care," he added. "This style of assisted living fits better in smaller communities — they're not institutional-type facilities."

Each home, which is licensed and regulated by the state, has 15 bedrooms — each with its own bathroom — and 24-hour care, electronic medication assistance and monitoring, Internet surveillance monitoring and assistance with daily living, housekeeping, and individual and group activities. All the homes are furnished, but those living in them do have the option of bringing in their own furniture for their bedrooms, Skelley said.

"We feel very strongly about integrating this whole concept into the community and really being part of it by having children come and read stories to the residents, having people come and take part in a family-style barbecues," Skelley said. "The people who work there love (the residents) and care for them while trying to let them be independent. This is very much a family atmosphere."

Skelley said there is a "tremendous" need in America, in New Mexico and in Bosque Farms for people to have a place to go when they can't care for themselves. He said he agrees with preserving the rural atmosphere of the village and says Bosque Farms would be an ideal location for the facility.

Councilor Robert Knowlton said the village has been talking about this type of need for a long time and he believes it would be a benefit to Bosque Farms and the elderly. He also said that, in the past, it's been the perception that this type of facility would be better located on the boulevard in the village's commercial sector because of a concern that it may not be in keeping with the residential or agricultural nature of the rest of the village. "We do have a comprehensive land-use plan that says we will try to keep the residential and agriculture character of the village off of the boulevard," Knowlton said. "A facility like this, and what you've shown us, may meet some of that intent. But I am concerned that the proposal had a particular vision with three units, and we now have a new vision of filling out the whole property."

Knowlton told Skelley that the council relies heavily on the planning and zoning commission and would like it to look at the entire package and make a recommendation before the council makes a decision.

"In my opinion, I don't want this thing to crash and burn," he said. "I would very much like our planning and zoning commission to be able to entertain the complete proposal and then this governing body would look at whatever proposed conditions."

Councilor Virgil Proctor said he agrees and hopes that the commission could take this up soon and bring it to the council with recommendations. "I hope that you might be willing to give us a little more time to go through the procedures and explain things to our residents," Proctor told Skelley. "We're new at this, and I know you've been building these facilities, but our community isn't. I'm encouraged that you're interested in our community, but you need to help us work through this."

Councilor Dolly Wallace said one of her platforms in her campaign for the last eight years has been for such a facility. She said there is a "huge" need for this in Bosque Farms and people who are need of assistance want to stay in the village. "I am really encouraged that you have looked at us and want to bring your homes here," she said. "I think your homes are very, very nice, and as I get older, I might be wanting to live there.

"I was, however, surprised when you showed us the difference when you first said it was three homes and now you're looking at six or seven," Wallace said. "I too would like it to go back to planning and zoning, and I'd like to see you work closely with our planning and zoning officer ..."

Councilor Bill Kennedy also told Skelley that he wants the matter to be given back to the planning and zoning commission. He said a few things need to be worked out, including the ordinance that allows only one home per lot in the village.

"When I saw there was going to be three homes, I was OK with that," Kennedy said. "But with six, that's not what our ordinance states, and I don't know if we have to make a change there. But I don't want to discourage this, and I'm very impressed with your presentation, and we would very much like to work with you."

Mayor Wayne Ake thanked Skelley for his presentation and said the project would be good for the village and for the residents.

"This is a win-win situation for everyone," Ake said. "We appreciate your ambition, and let's work together."

Several residents voiced their concerns regarding the facility, the amount of homes on the property, security and the amount of traffic it would attract. Skelley explained there would be minimal traffic in and out of the area.

E-mail this story Printer-friendly version