A view of the Steeple View plan from August.
Credit: Ingrid Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
A public hearing will be held later this month to discuss a proposed senior assisted living facility in Newtown Borough.
Council members said last month that the meeting will be to draw comments from the public on whether they support constructing an assisted living facility with 90 units, including one and two bedroom apartments, in Phase II of the Steeple View mixed use development on South State Street.
The special meeting will be held Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Chancellor Center on North Chancellor Street in the borough.
Steeple View developer Allan Smith has proposed replacing three planned residential condominium buildings in the rear of the nine-acre former Stockburger property with the assisted living facility.
The Council has already heard information on the plan from Smith and New England-based LCB Senior Living, the company that would manage the assisted living facility.
By replacing condominiums with a senior living facility, Newtown Council members have made comments about concerns over the shift in the plan and potential loss of earned income tax revenues.
His plans for the facility have been shot down by the Planning Commission over building height.
“Now I find out that Newtown is against old people,” Smith said in a light-hearted tone. “And at $7,000 per month, they’re against wealthy old people.”
Smith said he’s looking for guidance on how to move forward because he is “scared to death” of interest rates increasing, which would not favorable to his financing for the large mixed use development.
As the weeks pass, Phase One of Steeple View grows ever-closer to completion. In addition to proposed senior facility, Phase Two includes a parking structure, businesses, a natural area along the Newtown Creek and public spaces.
