P’ville Assisted Living Project Discussion Met By Opposition
Pleasantville residents along Maple Hill Road overwhelmingly disapproved the possibility of an assisted living residence being built in their neighborhood.
During an informal question-and-answer session held Wednesday night at the United Methodist Church, tensions ran high between Benchmark Senior Living representatives and residents in the area. The residents had multiple concerns about the proposed construction that would occur behind the church.
Benchmark, the largest provider of senior housing in New England and based out of Wellesley, Mass., signed an agreemet with the United Methodist Church in August in hopes of rezoning 3.5-acres of church property to build the project, but has yet to file a formal application with the Village of Pleasantville. The company is considering a proposal for an 87-unit facility for seniors that would cost residents between $4,000 and $6,000 a month and not accept Medicare or Medicaid.
The company held the forum to listen to concerns and gather suggestions from the public. Benchmark representatives received an earful during the hour and a half meeting.
“Completely against (it),” Pleasantville resident Indhira Figuereo Blaney said afterward.
Blaney, a civil engineer and a Maple Hill Road resident, said two of her major concerns were increased traffic and safety issues. Another issue for her was the potential for light pollution that would be generated from the building.
Monica Strobel, a 34-year resident of Maple Hill Road, voiced similar complaints about the possibility of the “imposing nature of the commercial facility.”
“It’s been a quiet neighborhood, a residential neighborhood,” Strobel said. “I would like to see the parcel of land behind the Methodist Church being developed as a residential neighborhood where it won’t impact the quality of life for the residents that live here.”
Another concern raised during the meeting is how the construction would affect wildlife that lives behind the church.
Bill Cook, Benchmark’s director of project management, said a maximum of 30 employees would be needed during the day. Most assisted living residents don’t drive, which would cut down on traffic congestion, he added.
Cook said he thought most of the issues raised were valid ones that will be addressed.
“I think the majority of them were viable concerns,” Cook said afterward. “These are people that live in the area and these are their homes so anything they have to look at is a viable concern, so we’re going to do our best to get them the answers they’re looking for.”
Check back in next week’s Examiner for more on this story.
