By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Platinum Realty Services, Inc. has proposed a 259-unit senior housing development in Prescott Valley. The North Central Arizona Senior Living Community will provide both independent living options and assisted living memory care on a 49.31-acre site southeast of Superstition Drive and Sheridan Lane.
The property includes the former Northcentral University building, which has been vacant for 10 years. Renovation of the existing three-story, 52.3KSF building will serve as Phase I of the development.
The owner has requested a rezoning from Public Lands to Residential and Services; Planned Area Development. Surrounding uses include a single-family community to the northeast and state land to the north and west.
The proposed site plan includes the existing building with 29 units, including 19 memory care units. The planned apartment section is comprised of two buildings with 68 units each. Both buildings will have 52 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom units.
The distributed new independent living accommodations will offer 83 two-bedroom cottages divided into 42 “small” units of 1,764SF and 41 “large” units of 1,820SF. There will also be 11 new one-bedroom row homes of 1,180SF each. The total unit count is 259 between the existing building and new development. A 3KSF restaurant is also included in the plans.
Project representatives held two meetings to present the project to area residents. An initial meeting was planned in April, with an expected attendance of 30 residents. After mailings were sent, planned attendees increased to more than 100, so the meeting was rescheduled for June so a larger venue could be procured. A second meeting was held in November. The general attitude was one of resistance, according to the June meeting minutes. Many attendees disputed or ignored the specific information presented based on sentiment and preconceived notions. According to the meeting summary:
The overall theme of the evening was one of not wanting anything at this site. Everyone made the same points about traffic, water, and access. We tried to do the presentation, but the group wanted to take it in a different direction and ask questions. Most of the people do not want to hear about the traffic study or refuse to believe it. We tried to talk about how the rezoning would be a benefit to the neighborhood and has a far economic benefit. People would not accept it and thought that we were pushing this on them. We understand their concerns and hopefully, we can come to an understanding that this is the best scenario possible for the community.
There were other comments made with no names or contact information. They range from there are too many assisted living communities in Prescott Valley to ruining the Antelope habitat… There was a suggestion to lock the gate at the university and build a road to Fain Highway. We were also told to go back to California.
Overall, our proposal is the best proposal for this property and is best for the Traffic and water impacts. The proposal we are presenting will also be the lease (sic) impactful for the quietness and solitude of the community. We just need to get that point across better.
There was also a smattering of support, including an emailed response from a resident who could not attend the meeting but said she recognized Prescott Valley’s need for additional senior housing and facilities.
Planning staff recommended the plan for approval, stipulating that North Mendicino Drive will be extended north to the intersection of Superstition Drive and Sheridan Lane to help accommodate traffic volumes and that an extension will be required for emergency vehicle access from the North Mendicino extension.
During the Feb. 12 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, attendees and Commissioners quizzed project representatives at length about community character issues, traffic concerns, water usage and drainage impacts. Representatives acknowledged planning work is ongoing to address infrastructure issues.
The Commission voted to recommend approval for the rezoning. The matter will now go before the Prescott Valley Town Council at its next available meeting.
Platinum Realty Services, Inc.—through its entity MJC Investment Property V, LLC—is the owner/developer. The design firm is Stroh Architecture, Inc. Pender Engineering is the civil engineer, and landscape planning is by Peter D. Bourgois. The zoning attorney is Boyle, Pecharich, Cline, Whittington & Stallings, P.L.L.C.
