Plan Commission recommends conditional use permit, site plan for assisted living at 445 Court Street

The Prescott Planning Commission voted unanimously on July 8 to recommend that the City Council approve a Conditional Use Permit and site plan for a proposed assisted living facility at 445 Court Street.

City Planner Luke Wiese opened the public hearing and described the proposal as a 59-unit, 67-bedroom facility that is an allowed conditional use in the R-1 zoning district and consistent with the city’s site-plan standards, subject to conditions. Neighbors raised questions about stormwater, landscaping and wastewater capacity during the public comment period.

Charles Evanson of 332 Oak Street asked how much surface runoff from the site would be routed into the city stormwater system and whether all parking areas would be hard surfaced. Greg Johnson of Nottingham Construction replied, “most of the runoff would be captured by the Oak Street storm sewer drainage system and that runoff from the site toward Peacock Ridge would be reduced,” and said the parking lots would be hard surfaced.

A speaker identifying themself only as the president of Peacock Ridge Townhomes said two drains along a retaining wall are inadequate, that the drains carry a large amount of city and site water, and that Peacock Ridge spent $160,000 to repair the retaining wall. The president said the submitted plan “does not adequately address the stormwater concerns.” Johnson responded that the development would send most water to Oak Street, would reduce flow to the drains serving Peacock Ridge, and that on-site maintenance staff would allow a quicker response to problems.

Chris Blanchard of 311 Oak Street asked about landscaping near Peacock Ridge; Johnson said the submitted landscape plan includes plantings along that side and that the developer has a vested interest in making the property look attractive. Mark Most of 507 Court Street asked about wastewater capacity; Mayor Mike Gerke stated the project’s projected wastewater usage would be about 356,000 gallons per day compared with the city’s treatment capacity of 500,000 gallons per day.

Johnson said the project remains a senior-living development (using the “assisted living” label in the application), that the same group that operates a facility in Ellsworth would manage the Prescott facility, that additional traffic would come from visitors and employees, and that construction could begin “as early as this fall or as late as spring.”

Following public comment, Commissioner Dave Hovel moved to close the hearing and then moved to recommend Resolution XX-26 approving the Conditional Use Permit to the City Council; Commissioner Josh Gergen seconded. Both the CUP recommendation and the site plan recommendation passed without a negative voice (4-0).

The commission’s recommendation advances the application to the City Council, which will make the final decision on the Conditional Use Permit and site plan.