By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK – Seniors who wish to remain in North Brunswick now have an option to do so, aside from moving into a nursing home.
The North Brunswick Zoning Board approved an application for Graceland Gardens, a 23-unit assisted living facility, that will be built on Route 27. After months of testimony and listening to residents’ concerns, the six-member board unanimously approved the plan on May 16.
“Our seniors need a place. We don’t have an appropriate assisted facility in North Brunswick to address those needs,” board member Thomas Abode said.
“I believe that the applicants themselves have demonstrated an awareness of senior issues and the ability to navigate those waters with concern and with wisdom,” Zoning Board Chairman Mark McGrath said.
Graceland Gardens is the brainchild of Jeanne Selby, the current manager of the North Brunswick Senior Housing Complex at 740 Hermann Road. She and her husband are seeking to construct a 23-unit, 17,530-square-foot assisted living facility with associated site improvements at 1628 Route 27, a property zoned R-2 residential.
There will not be a residential unit for the owners on the property, as per the amended site plan. Instead, the existing structure will be taken down, Selby said.
Residents still cited concerns such as traffic impact along Route 27 and its side streets, the effect of stormwater management on the surrounding neighborhoods, adequate parking on site, visitation hours and the building of a commercial use in a residential neighborhood.
“I’m concerned about more traffic going on 27 where it’s already overburdened at rush hour,” Garrick Stoldt said.
“It’s shoehorning a facility that should be in a larger place and will impede traffic and cause problems for people on places like Parillo Court,” Karen Ramsden-Zahler said.
According to Daniel McSweeney, a professional planner who testified during the hearings, the 2000 census showed that 28 percent of the population in North Brunswick is age 55 and older.
“This age cohort continues to be one of the fastest growing in the township,” he said. “The 23-unit Graceland Gardens will, in my opinion, provide an expanded and enhanced assisted living facility in the township and the region by providing senior housing opportunities and facilities to meet the express need and ever-increasing demands for market-priced [assisted living] and healthcare services.”
Seniors who currently live at the North Brunswick Senior Housing building agreed, saying they don’t want to be forced directly into a nursing home.
“I see people come into a nursing home because there is no alternative and I see them deteriorate because it’s taken the independence away from them,” Linda Watson said. “Not everybody could take care of their family at home. … I have my own place. I can get up when I want. I can do what I want. It’s independence. Independence, that’s what everybody’s worried about.”
“I’m concerned with the fact that we don’t have one in North Brunswick … and we do need an assisted living facility and a place where people can go get medical care, housekeeping, see old friends and meet new friends,” Jeffrey Gross said.
Construction is expected to begin later this year. The hope is to have the facility opened by late spring 2018, according to Selby.
“I would like to thank everyone who supported this project for their love and prayers. Graceland Gardens Assisted Living will be a wonderful addition to the North Brunswick community,” Selby said.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@newspapermediagroup.com.
