The Seacrest Retirement Center in West Haven is seeking to put a large addition on its seaside facility to accommodate more residents.
The facility, at 588 Ocean Ave., provides assisted-living and memory-care services. The owner, Seacrest Retirement LLC, is seeking approval from the West Haven Planning & Zoning Commission for a special permit, site plan, and coastal site plan, so it can expand.
Currently, the center is one building of two and a half stories. The applicant wants to expand the existing building by 583 square feet and construct a new 12,775-square-foot, 2.5-story building to the north of the existing one, for a total of 13,358 square feet of new space. There would be a single-story enclosed hallway connecting the proposed and existing structures.
While the Seacrest facility currently accommodates 75 beds, the proposal would add 34 beds for a total of 109.
The proposal also includes a 31-space parking lot to the north of the existing building.
Currently, the existing driveway to the facility is off of Colonial Place, a cul-de-sac that also provides access to neighboring single-family residential homes. The proposed plan would eliminate this Colonial Place access and create a new driveway along Ocean Avenue. The application asserts that this would improve access and circulation for both emergency vehicles and deliveries.
Lewis Bower purchased the facility in 1985, and has over the years acquired nearby property on Ocean Avenue, Tyler Street and Colonial Place with an eye toward expansion.
The existing facility is on a 0.62-acre parcel. With the adjoining properties, the site plan area spans 2.6 acres, documents show.
Seacrest has tried to expand unsuccessfully in the past — the commission voted against an expansion plan introduced in 2010. At the time, the commission cited concerns from residents in the area.
The commission hosted a public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 27, with area residents speaking both in favor and against the proposal.
Resident David Carr wrote in an opposition letter to commissioners that “people who live in a residential zone should be protected and respected. Seacrest LLC knew these lots were zoned residential when they were purchased.”
Kenneth and Mariann Lord of West Haven, who currently have a relative living at the facility, were among those supporting the expansion.
“As an assisted living center, they are far superior than a nursing home and serve many former West Haven residents,” the couple wrote, in a letter on file at City Hall. “The residents there can also enjoy the beach and [Long Island] Sound, which is very therapeutic.”
Reached this week, Bower declined to comment on the application or public hearing comments.
Due to the level of interest, the commission deferred taking action on the proposal. The public hearing was continued to Tuesday, Sept. 24, in the Harriet North Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 355 Main Street, West Haven, at 7 p.m.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com
