Credit: Ingrid Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
After hearing the reaction to his preliminary plans for the $100 million phase two of Steeple View, developer Allan Smith presented a possible change before Newtown Borough Council Wednesday evening.
Smith, who is currently overseeing construction of the first phase of the large project, said once he received preliminary approval over summer he received a number of phone calls from bankers and construction suppliers. One, however, caught his attention and has led him to rethink a portion of his plan.
A proposal to Smith from Massachusetts-based LCB Senior Living would replace three of the proposed residential condominiums for an assisted living facility with 90 units that would be walkable to Newtown. The amount of condominiums in Steeple View would be reduce from 110 to 48 if the assisted living facility is constructed.
Smith said changing the three residential buildings to an assisted living facility would reduce the need for parking and decrease the height of each building by one floor. He also liked the idea that there would be high-end assisted living so close to Newtown’s central business district.
While no plans are final, Smith said he just wanted to present the proposal for LCB Senior Living to the council.
“It would get rid of cars and a ton of traffic,” the developer said.
If Smith and LCB Senior Living would move forward with assisted living, he would need to obtain a variance for zoning.
William Bolla, the council solicitor, told Smith the governing body would not take a favorable or not favorable position on the proposal at this time.
Smith said the assisted living facility would add a higher-end, short-term care facility that Newtown currently lacks.
Some concerns voiced by the council would be the lack of earned income tax by residents.
Smith said the people purchasing the condominiums currently are mainly retired and also wouldn’t have to pay an earned income tax.
Council President Bob Walker said he would be interested in hearing more on the proposed change to the project.
