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Councilman John Dunleavy is hoping third time's a charm for his retirement community zoning code rewrite. A third public hearing on the proposed code overhaul is set for June 5 at 2:20 p.m.
The proposed code changes would allow for the development of assisted living facilities in the retirement community zoning use district.
It allows development densities of up to eight assisted living dwelling units per acre within communities developed as "affordable" communities — where at least 75 percent of the residents have income at or less than 110 percent of Suffolk County's median household income. It also allows for four units per acre of independent living units in affordable communities.
For communities that are not subject to income limits and are not considered "affordable," as-of-right development densities would be two units per acre for independent living units and four units per acre for assisted living units. The developer would be able to increase development yield to four units per acre for independent living units and eight units per acre for assisted living units by purchasing farmland development rights (one additional unit per development right.)
The town's current retirement community code, which makes no provision for assisted living facilities, allows only independent living dwelling units (age restricted to seniors 55 and older) to be developed at the density of one unit per acre without the transfer of development rights. With the purchase of development rights, a density of four units per acre is allowed (one additional unit per development right.) For conventional 55+ retirement communities — without an assisted living component — this development density would remain the same under the revised code.
The code would require a minimum site of 15 acres within the Riverhead water and sewer districts or within 1,500 feet of the boundaries of such districts.
There are currently no parcels in the retirement community zoning use district that meet these requirements, though a developer of assisted living communities has its sights set on land just north of the Riverhead Centre shopping plaza on Mill Road.
Concordia Senior Communities of Melville wants to build 105 "independent living" attached single-family homes, 50 "enriched housing program" apartments and 24 "assisted living" units on 25.2 acres along the east side of Mill Road, north of the Home Depot. The site stretches north to Middle Road, wrapping around three existing homes and a small farm on the corner of Mill and Middle roads.
The plan includes a two-story clubhouse with indoor pool, spa and dining facilities. The main entrance to the new complex would be on Mill Road, with a second entrance on Middle Road.
