Developers of the controversial proposed senior living complex in Highland between Cline and Kleinman avenues cleared their first major hurdle during Wednesday night’s Plan Commission meeting.
The Plan Commission voted 6-0, with Commissioner
Tom VanderWoude absent, to approve both the planned-unit development designation and the two-unit subdivision of the 19-acre property between the Strack and Van Til grocery store and Scheeringa Farm stand to the north.
Zoned R-1-A for single-family residential previously, the move changes the property’s zoning to R-3-B for medium density and would allow for the first phase of the Davenport, Iowa-based developer’s plan of building a 136-unit complex devoted to independent living, assisted living and skilled care for seniors 55 and older.
Presented initially in February but sidelined because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the revised plan from November saw further revisions, including a traffic reconfiguration, that were approved by the Safety Commission last week, James Wieser, attorney for the project, said. Additionally, the project is projected to provide more than 400 construction jobs and between 85 and 100 full-time, “good paying” positions equaling a payroll of $3 million when completed, he said.
In all, the project could potentially bring $5 million per year to Highland with “minimal impact on services,” according to Wieser.
“There wouldn’t be any impact to the schools, nor much to the first responders,” he said. “(The project) answers quality-of-life issues, plus it provides housing stock for younger couples who would purchase starter homes (in town after seniors moved to the development). It meets the needs of the town.”
Resident Larry Kondrat questioned how long it would take the project to regenerate the allocation money it’s using to replenish the allocation area. Another resident, Jim Lively, asked about the Scheeringa property, a 40-foot piece of land the town needs to complete the proposed improvement to Ernie Strack Drive.
“It seems like we’re spending millions to aggravate a neighbor,” Lively said.
Wieser said there were discussions with the Scheeringas, and that the family rejected the initial offer. If the town can’t come to an agreement with them, it can exercise eminent domain, Wieser said, but the family would still be compensated.
The owner of the property, Ken Scheeringa, said he had one initial conversation with the previous administration but has heard nothing since.
“I’m surprised I haven’t been included on anything,” he said.
Commission member Joe Gryznski asked Clerk-Treasurer Michael Griffin the financial difference between the senior center and a single-family home subdivision on that property. Griffin said that even with higher-end housing, the property taxes on residential are capped by law at 1%, whereas on the senior development, it would be 3%.
“I like residential, but even high-value residential doesn’t generate the property tax needed to stabilize (town funding),” Griffin said.
The Plan Commission’s recommendation now goes to the Town Council for approval. If the council doesn’t vote on the recommendation within 90 days, it will be approved by default.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
