Senior Living SPD approved by Brunswick City Council

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick City Council recently passed an ordinance that allows the Special Planning District No. 5 zoning to remain and to approve the revised design guidelines for the property, which feature plans for senior living. The property at 953 Pearl Road was first approved as a special planning district in 2019. Another company later took over the project, and a second version of the plan was recommended for Council approval in 2023, but that plan did not move forward. Planning Commission then recommended approval of the third version of the plan to Council during its meeting Jan. 23. Council passed its ordinance, which was up for a third reading, on March 9. The newest version of the plan features: 86 units across 18 buildings on about 16 acres of land. Accessible units for seniors with an open ranch floor plan, attached garages and a driveway. Amenities like a paved walking path, dog park, clubhouse, fitness room, pickleball courts and a community garden. Special planning districts allow areas to have more-compatible uses and more flexible and creative designs than traditional zoning districts. The documents the applicant submitted to the city state that the new plan for the property still meets the criteria for a special planning district because of the property's narrow shape with steep topography and wetlands, which requires creative site planning. The residential, recreational and wellness amenities were listed as a mixture of compatible uses. At the March 9 meeting, Councilman-at Large Joe Delsanter said he thinks the city will look into restructuring its position on special planning districts in the future. "We have in our current code amendments and revisions to code that the (special planning districts) would expire after one year as a revision to what we currently have," Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said. "Right now, (special planning districts) do not expire. This revision is better than what I think was originally there. I think in the future, that's a wise revision to our (special planning district) process that we hopefully can adopt in our code revision." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.