Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) members are reviewing a set of proposed zoning regulations on assisted-living facilities, which, if approved, would provide a regulatory mechanism for a developer to seek approval to construct a proposed 62-unit assisted-living complex at a 3.97-acre site at 37 Church Hill Road.

The BZC held a public hearing on March 8 on the proposed rules, through which the firm known as Teton Capital would seek three BZC approvals to construct a multibuilding project known as Church Hill Village for elderly people who require assistance with the activities of daily living.

The proposed borough zoning regulations would be similar to existing assisted-living rules administered by the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). There are two assisted living complexes in the town, but none in the borough.

Developer William Donohue told BZC members that Newtown currently has about 2,500 residents who are over age 75, adding that five years from now, that figure will rise to approximately 4,000 people. Mr Donohue said that the need for assisted living complexes locally will increase. The age of people living is such facilities typically ranges from the late 70s to the early 80s, he said.

Mr Donohue said his firm wants to construct such a complex in the center of town at 37 Church Hill Road site, rather than in an outlying area. Such a central location would foster healthy intergenerational activity at such a facility, he said.

Local existing assisted-living complexes are Masonicare's Lockwood Lodge at 139 Toddy Hill Road, and Maplewood at Newtown at 166 Mt Pleasant Road.

Architect John Parry of JRP Architects, representing the developer, explained the complex that Teton Capital has in mind for the site on the eastern corner of Church Hill Road and The Boulevard. Access to the site would be provided from both streets, he said.

Multiple buildings at the site would be interconnected by a series of glass passageways, he said. Four single-story residential buildings would be built, three of which would provide conventional assisted living settings, and one of which would be designated for residents requiring specialized "memory care" services, he said. Some of the services buildings would be two stories tall.

Resident Cristina Fadus of 5 Sunset Hill Road asked whether there would be a tree buffer line positioned between the proposed complex and the property to the north on The Boulevard. Mr Parry said such trees would be in place, and possibly fencing, to separate the site from the adjacent land.

Ms Fadus also asked about the amount of traffic that such a complex could be expected to generate. Mr Parry responded that such a facility would create relatively little traffic, noting that its residents would not be driving vehicles. Parking at the site would be provided for its workers and visitors.

The proposed zoning regulations on assisted living contain topics including a definition of assisted-living housing; allowing assisted living as a permitted use; the requirements for buildings and plots; parking areas; and driveways. The proposed regulations specify that a complex must have access to a public water supply, sanitary sewers, and an arterial street. As defined by the proposed regulations, "assisted living" refers to an elderly housing complex in which a variety of basic services are provided, such as nursing and assistance with the activities of daily living, to a stable resident population.

In February, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), which serves as the borough's planning agency, endorsed the proposed borough zoning regulations on assisted-living complexes.

The 37 Church Hill Road site is in a P-1 (Professional) zone. It also is in the Village District overlay zone. Village District zoning is a mechanism intended to regulate the aesthetics of projects, as viewed from the street. New buildings in the borough's Village District overlay zone are limited to a maximum 6,500 square feet of enclosed space.

The Church Hill Village site at 37 Church Hill Road is on the eastern corner of Church Hill Road and The Boulevard. The undeveloped property is owned by Pepper Partners, LLC. A four-way traffic signal recently started operating there at the intersection of Church Hill Road, The Boulevard, and the main driveway for The Village at Lexington Gardens retail/office complex at 30 Church Hill Road.

BZC Chairman Douglas Nelson said that commission members will be discussing the proposed zoning regulations when they next meet on April 12.