Jefferson County’s commissioners voted Tuesday to rezone 8 acres of commercial property near West Bowles Avenue and South Simms Street for a 130-unit senior apartment community.
Nebraska-based Resort Lifestyle Communities can now move forward with plans for a $25 million development that is not a care center but is geared toward people 75 and older.
Some of the commissioners worried about giving up commercial land but said they saw more value in a residential development than in vacant space.
“I’m concerned about giving up commercial zoning,” Commissioner Casey Tighe said. “But I’ll vote yes because I think it’s a good development.”
Rent in the complex covers three meals per day and access to such onsite facilities as a movie theater, fitness classes, lounge area and a library, said development director Bob Lewis.
“It gives the senior population here an option to stay in the area,” Lewis told commissioners. “We feel that’s needed.”
Tenants must be at least 55 years old, but Lewis said clients at 11 other Resort Lifestyle complexes around the country average 80.
A complex of this size typically would require 293 parking spaces, but the developer received a variance allowing just 180 spaces.
