DANVILLE — Several months after introducing their proposal for a $100 million retirement community and shopping plaza, developers still haven't formally filed applications with the town.
But plans for the 256,000-square-foot continuing care facility and 50,000-square-foot plaza are alive and well, according to Arthur Pappas, marketing representative for Ozzir Properties.
"We're confident that we will get it approved," Pappas said yesterday.
He said his company first needs to resolve various issues related to the project, but will eventually submit its applications to the town.
While there are no major problems with the plan for the shopping plaza, which would bring numerous businesses to town, Pappas said the Planning Board has concerns about the retirement community.
"They said, 'We don't have any zoning for this in town,'" Pappas said, noting it would be the first project of its kind in Danville.
Ozzir Properties might need approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment before receiving Planning Board approval, he said.
A site plan review hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 14, according to Planning Board clerk Janet Denison.
"That date in October is tentative just because we don't have any application yet," she said.
Although board Chairman Barry Hantman couldn't be reached for comment yesterday, fellow board member Tara Burkhart echoed Denison's comments.
"We have nothing to vote on," she said. "Everything is just speculative."
Ozzir's proposal, presented to the board last spring, calls for the construction of the retirement community, called The Royal Crest of Danville, along Route 111 on the south side of town.
The 38-acre retirement community, designed for people 55 and older, would include 200 luxury independent living units, 40 luxury assisted units, and a 54-bed health care facility that includes memory care, nursing and rehabilitation services, and physical therapy.
It also would provide a barbershop and beauty salon, travel agency, activity center and medical clinic with doctors' offices.
The nearby shopping complex, called Crown Plaza, would feature various businesses, including a gas station and restaurants, Pappas said.
"I'm getting a high demand of inquiries for that shopping plaza," he said.
While the proposal received a mixed response from board members and residents at a hearing in June, Pappas said the project would be a benefit to Danville and his company would work with the community.
Some of the concerns involved the potential impact on the water supply, emergency services and wetlands.
"There is a demand for it and we're doing it right," Pappas said of the project. "We will accommodate them (residents) in every way we can."
If everything goes as planned, Pappas said they hope to receive approval for the projects next spring.
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