CARLSBAD — A new senior apartment complex received pushback from wildlife proponents, although the development was approved, 3-0, Wednesday during the City Council meeting.
A 98-unit, three story facility for seniors 55 and older will move forward in Robertson Ranch near the intersection of El Camino Real and Cannon Road.
Diane Nygaard, president of Preserve Calavera, said her biggest concern with the project was the blockage of a wildlife corridor on site. She said animals use the current vacant lot to move between other open space areas in the neighborhood.
“This is a functioning wildlife corridor,” Nygaard added.
She also said deer have returned to the area after nearly a 20-year absence, although said concerns with coyotes also have been an issue.
Nygaard said residents’ first solution to coyotes is to call a government agency to kill the animals instead of using non-lethal measures to prevent attacks on pets.
Adrian Peters of Brookfield Residential, however, said he has met with Nygaard to address her concerns and will continue to do so now the project has been greenlit.
Councilman Keith Blackburn pressed Peters and his team to continue discussions with Nygaard.
“We have done an exhaustive review and a thorough review,” Peters said.
Bill Arnold of Rancho Carlsbad said he met with Peters and his team several times to discuss the development. He said upon receiving the details, it made sense to go forward with the project.
“It’s hard to fight senior housing when you’re a senior,” he joked. “When we got the details, we liked it.”
Mayor Matt Hall agreed saying there is a need for senior housing.
“If we are going to do it, let’s do it right,” he said.
He also highlighted the amenities of the for-rent facility, which include a pool, patio and balconies for all apartments, full-time staff, in-home laundry and shuttle service to other areas in the city and beyond, to name a few.
As for the units, Peters said they will consist of six different floor plans ranging from 651 to 1,091 square feet. An 11,902-sqaure foot RV storage space will be added, replacing an existing storage area on the opposite end of the site.
Once the building is constructed, Aldea Partners will own and operate the facility.
Deputy Mayor Lorraine Wood and councilman Mark Packard were absent.
2 comments
When you say affordable, we would like to know what that would encompass.
Seniors are the least considered when. it comes to affordability. We no longer have the prospect of earnings as the 18-34 age groups, and those over 50 that still have the time and energy to increase their income.
I understand that there will be 30 homes that will be built for low income seniors.
Any information you can provide would be appreciated.
Thank You
This complex may have nice amenities, but if the units themselves are as small as indicated in the article, it will be like shoving a bunch of seniors into little boxes. It also did not sound like many of these units will be affordable. Affordable senior and other housing is more needed in Carlsbad than attractive little boxes in which to warehouse seniors. It is too bad that this sort of housing is created by and voted for by people who will never have to live under such circumstances.
Comments are closed.