Commission allows assisted‑living as permitted use in GMU4 but requires CUP for buildings over one story

The Dayton Planning Commission voted on Jan. 8 to allow assisted‑living and nursing‑home facilities as a permitted use in the GMU4 mixed‑use district but added a requirement that any building over one story must obtain a conditional use permit (CUP).

Staff recommended treating assisted‑living like other multifamily uses already allowed in GMU4. Several commissioners voiced concern about GMU4’s unclear long‑term identity, the proximity of new multifamily uses to existing single‑family neighborhoods and whether the commission would retain meaningful design control if senior facilities were permitted outright.

To preserve an ability to influence scale and transition to adjacent residential areas, commissioners combined approaches: allowing one‑story facilities as a permitted use while requiring CUP review for taller buildings. Commissioners also discussed existing transitional requirements in the code (setbacks, headlight screening), and some asked staff to evaluate whether other multifamily uses should face similar review.

The motion to adopt assisted living as a permitted use with a CUP requirement for structures over one story passed on a majority vote; staff will reflect the commission’s direction when drafting final language for city council review.