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Beverly Hills residents welcome an affordable housing complex for seniors.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 15, 2002
BEVERLY HILLS -- Plans are in the works for a 100-unit apartment complex for seniors behind the Regions Bank on County Road 491. And the project already has earned the support of Beverly Hills residents who fought a different apartment proposal on that tract last year.
The affordable housing proposal by Creative Choice Homes would cater exclusively to seniors, offering regularly scheduled visits by health care professionals, organized recreational activities and emergency call devices in each apartment.
The monthly rent would be based on residents' income: A couple earning less than $19,320 a year or an individual earning less than $16,860 would pay $379 for a one-bedroom apartment or $436 for a two-bedroom unit.
A couple earning less than $16,100 or an individual making less than $14,050 would pay $307 for one bedroom or $349 for two.
Neighbors who met with the developer Monday say the affordable housing for seniors is a vast improvement over the previous proposal from Randum Corp., which called for 120 apartments open to all age groups. Faced with organized opposition from the Beverly Hills residents, the Randum Corp. apartment proposal failed to win County Commission approval last July.
"From what we could see, what we could tell, everything we heard and the information we received, it seems that everything we were against in the last apartment proposal has been addressed," said Jane Fricano, one of the Beverly Hills residents who met with the developer. "And actually, we're very pleased. We think this is something that would fit in very well."
For example, the complex would have two-story buildings with elevators. Critics said Randum Corp.'s proposed three-story buildings would have been out of character with the community, and without elevators, would have been difficult for older or disabled residents to use.
Even with the neighbors' support, however, the project is far from breaking ground.
On Tuesday, Creative Choice Homes, a Palm Beach Gardens company that has built more than 20 similar complexes throughout the state, received a $75,000 grant from the County Commission to help build the $7.85-million complex. That grant is contingent on Creative Choice Homes receiving about $6.88-million in other state housing grants, county housing services director Joe Monroe said.
If Creative Choice Homes receives the state grants this fall, Monroe said, construction could begin in 2003.
"This process takes a while," he said.
Creative Choice Homes officials did not return calls for comment.
The proposed complex would include a community center, exercise room, swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, a library and a computer room. Rent would include water, sewer and garbage fees.
The 7.5 acres is still owned by Randum Corp. owner Harry Cunningham, but Creative Choice Homes plans to buy the property later this year, Monroe said.
Beverly Hills residents say this proposal would meet a housing need in the community.
"I am sure we have a number of single persons living in homes now who have to worry about lawns and things of that sort," Beverly Hills Civic Association president Dick Schnably said. "This will be, I hope, a boon to them."
"The important thing," he added, "is that people are listening."
-- Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached at 860-7303 or bhall@sptimes.com.