LAKEPORT >> A new housing complex for senior citizens may be coming to Lakeport.
The Lakeport City Council unanimously approved an expedited project review for the facility Tuesday.
According to Lakeport Community Development Director Kevin Ingram, the developer, Pacific West Companies, is “under special time constraints in which they must obtain … land use entitlements prior to and necessary for filing for financing applications.”
A special meeting of the Lakeport Planning Commission may be required if the review is not completed by it’s meeting on June 10, as the commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Public review of the project, which lasts 20 days, will not be shortened by the expedited review.
Targeting income-qualifying seniors, the proposed project includes a total of 32 units, of which 26 would be one-bedroom units and six would be two-bedroom units. The layout was presented by Cameron Johnson of Encino-based AMG & Associates.
A ten-acre parcel located at 1255 Martin St. is the proposed site, but only three-acres will be used for the project.
“If later down the road we want to expand, we can add on to the facility with the surrounding land,” Johnson said.
A community building, spa, pool, covered picnic area, laundry room, computer room and exercise facility are included in the project’s proposal.
The location is less than half a mile from the Bella Vista senior apartments, which is a 48-unit complex built by Pacific West Companies.
Councilman Marc Spillman voiced concerns regarding the topography of the area, which Johnson said will addressed in the review.
“It’s not going to be an easy feat,” Johnson said. “But we think it will work.”
All of the city council voiced their support for the project, citing the Bella Vista apartments as a great addition to the city.
“The council’s decision on this matter would strictly be related to whether or not this project qualifies … for expedited review,” Ingram clarified. “It is in no way intended to act as a pre-judgement on the adequacy of the project or indicate a preference for approval.”
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
