A proposal that would establish 239 independent living, assisted living and memory care units along Ga. Highway 54 in The Villages development was tabled Aug. 7 by the Fayetteville City Council at the request of the applicant.
The Beverly J. Searles Foundation, the applicant for the Lafayette Place development, asked that the item be tabled to give Searles representatives 30 days to meet with residents of The Villages. The council agreed by unanimous vote.
The Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission voted July 22 to recommend denial of the project. A majority of the board agreed with several residents of the adjacent residences at The Villages.
Several on the board said the proposal was good but the location was not.
Searles proposed 239 independent living, assisted living and memory care units along Hwy. 54 in The Villages development several blocks west of downtown.
The rezoning proposal called for developing the 13.7-acre site to include 125 independent living units, 24 independent “quad” villas along with 60 assisted living units and 30 memory care units in a large building.
Searles representatives said the two- and three-story flats would house the independent living units, adding that the memory care portion of the development would be a secured facility.
Commenting on the proposal, landscape architect Dennis Drewyer said the development could accommodate a small amount of retail on the east side of the property near the Hampton Inn.
Speaking during public comments, The Villages resident Dennis Shubert suggested that the recently-approved Lafayette Square luxury apartments to be located immediately to the west be given a chance to attract retail development to the 13.7-acre tract.
His comments were similar to those of others who called for a retail or live-work type of development in the area.
