Rezoning makes way for senior living facility
The Shelby County Planning Commission approved a rezoning request to construct a senior living facility at its July 20 meeting.
The request was from Jesse Marinko, president and CEO of Georgia-based Phoenix Senior Living, on behalf of Eagle Investments.
Located at the corner of Eagle Point Parkway and U.S. 280, the 9.6-acre-property was redistricted from A-1 (agricultural district) and B-1 (neighborhood business district) to R-5 SD (multi-family district and special district).
Plans for the property include a senior living facility with 132 rooms, 172 beds and a putting green, children’s playground, walking trails and picnic areas on the property. Access to the facility will be off of Farley Lane.
The property would serve as a transition from the higher-intensity commercial development along U.S. 280 toward the residential, single family housing, said senior planner Sharman Brooks.
“We have had a number of requests and interested inquiries in the multi-family and high-density residential sectors in the corridor,” Brooks said. “These requests coincide with a decrease in the number of offices and commercial developments.”
There are single family residences near the property, and Brooks said one property owner spoke in favor of the application for rezoning.
Commission member Michael O’Kelley raised concern about an increase in traffic as a result of the senior living community, requesting consideration of a traffic signal along Farley Lane, but Chief Civil Engineer John Slaughter said that a traffic signal was not likely.
“ALDOT has stated very clearly that the possibility of a signal in that location is not very likely, mainly because of the grade,” Slaughter said. “Coming down the hill, it’s almost impossible to stop, especially the big trucks, coming down a grade that size.”
Marinko has senior living facilities around the Southeast, including multiple properties in Georgia and one in Baton Rouge. The company is also working on another development in Huntsville.
“We’re excited about becoming a member of Shelby County and the Birmingham area to provide a great service and much needed service offering for the residents of the area,” Marinko said.
Commission member Rachel Garrett asked Marinko about staffing plans, including medical staff. He said there will be a 24/7 on-site nurse, a medical director as well as other staff. The facility also includes a 1,200 sq. ft. wellness and rehab center. Residents will also have freedom of choice in regard to hospice services, Marinko said.
“We are championing to allow residents to stay – transfer trauma is a very real thing with seniors,” Marinko said. “Once they reside in my community, I like to provide the best quality of life possible.”
There were no further comments in favor or against the plan, and the board approved the plan unanimously.
After receiving approval from the commission, the applicant now must submit a resurvey to combine the two lots, as well as a fully-developed sight plan. Both submissions must meet zoning requirements and will be considered separately.