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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-16 P&Z MinutesCITY OF KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Minutes j January 16, 1996 1. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Carl Glick, Phil Bryson, Ron Goecke, Kevin Walker, John Booth, Karen Mahurin Members Absent: Teresa Werner-Quade Others Present: City Engineer Jack La Shot, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Kebschull 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: RON GOECKE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 1996 AND ASKED FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT. MOTION SECONDED BY CARL GLICK. AGENDA APPROVED. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. PZ96-5-Landscape Site Plan Review, Continuum Corporation Leo Grasso representing the Continuum Corporation stated he would like to have members of their committee address the Commission regarding the landscaping of the project. Mr. Grasso stated that Merle Dean Feldman would be speaking for the corporation on the landscaping portion of the project. Merle Dean Feldman explained that she had done a lot of work within the city on flower beds. Ms. Feldman explained that Mr. Grasso had asked her to bring continuity to the gardens that had been established in Leif Hansen and bring that style into the assisted living center. Ms. Feldman shared a picture of the Buchart Gardens in Victoria. Ms. Feldman stated she had brought the picture to share because this would be the typical type of island beds that would be established. She stated they will have vivid colors to appeal to the senses and trees and shrubs incorporated in the island beds. Ms. Feldman stated she had drawn the island beds on the plans to show where they would be located. Ms. Feldman explained that the interior gardens, as shown on the plans, will loop in and out around areas. The gardens around the Alzheimer's unit were drawn outside the fence, but will actually be inside the fence. Ms. Feldman explained that all of the plants and shrubs used will be capable of surviving in this climate. She stated that one of the things that she had thought about when planning the gardens was that they need to enhance the residents stay while they are there and bring joy and comfort to them. Ms. Feldman stated that when people walk through the gardens she believes that people will feel good about living there. The gardens were designed with that in mind. Ms. Feldman offered to answer any questions. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 1 January 16, 1996 Mr. Bryson asked if the area around the planted islands would be turfed grass. Ms. Feldman responded that there would be grass surrounding each island and the grassed area would be the natural pathways. Bryson asked if that would be the case around the living quarters. Ms. Feldman stated yes, the areas would be grass and that all of the gardens would be done in the Buchart fashion where there would be grass surrounding them. Feldman stated that the grass makes the plants and the flowers come alive. It also provides natural pathways for people to stroll. Mr. Bryson noted that the area is lacking in variation in topography and asked if there was going to be an effort to contour the area. Ms. Feldman stated that there would be contouring on the back boundary (directing their attention to the drawings). Feldman showed where the dirt will be pushed up noting it will form a natural woodland boundary in the back. Feldman stated there is already a boundary that exists there but it will be made to be more distinct. Ms. Feldman stated that Pat Porter has asked her to help at the Senior Citizen's Center with some island beds there to bring the same feelings into that area. Feldman added that some of the beds will be mounded up higher than other beds to provide interest and detail. Mr. Booth asked if the plants chosen will have longevity to them or if they will need to be replanted frequently. Ms. Feldman stated these plants will last forever. Feldman explained that the planting will be done similar to Leif Hansen. Ms. Feldman explained that three years ago, the soil was taken apart, pumice was brought in, peat and leaf mulch was added, etc. Feldman stated that at these gardens they will actually have a grinder and be grinding up materials to bring a lot of natural material to build up the soil. Feldman stated that is the secret to the longevity of the plants. Feldman added that in Alaska, if the perennials can reach down and have an everlasting source of minerals, they will survive and it also protects their roots. If they stay in primarily peat soil or primarily clay soil, they cannot survive the winters. All the plants that have been planted in Kenai have survived for three years. Feldman stated they will be looking at the plants to make sure that the plants need as little upkeep as possible. Feldman noted there will need to be a gardener but this will help. Feldman stated that a lot of the Buchart Gardens have beautiful evergreen shrubs and small trees that are actually in the island beds and these provide architecture to the beds. Feldman stated she felt that architecture was lacking in the Kenai gardens. Feldman noted that these gardens will contain shrubs that will be shaped and the small trees to provide an interesting architecture. Mayor Williams stated that it may be possible to redesign Leif Hansen gardens at the same time using the overburden and soil from this project. He stated it may be worthwhile to work together on a joint project. Ms. Feldman stated she had attempted to make sure there would not be any tricky areas for people to trip over. Feldman explained that the island beds were close enough to the walkways to be viewed closely but not so close that people might trip over them. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 2 January 16, 1996 Feldman noted there will be fountains in a couple of areas adding that water does wonders for people. Ms. Mahurin asked where the Alzheimer's unit would be housed. (Ms. Mahurin was shown the unit on the drawing.) Ms. Feldman stated that the flowers for that area have not been chosen but that she will make sure that they are very, very beautiful and will be very bright colors. Mr. Booth asked what the average height of the beds would be questioning if they would be too high creating problems with security. Ms. Feldman stated they would be one and one-half to two feet high, nothing that would be too distracting. Mr. Bryson asked if the area designated for snow storage is proposed to be left graveled or would it be sodded also. Ms. Feldman stated there would be no gardens in the area but it would be a grassed area. Lynn Robbins stated she had been asked to finish the presentation, explain the site plan, show the Alzheimer's unit, explain parking, and any other questions that may arise. In addition, she stated she would go over the final floor plans and show overheads from another building that was just completed. Commission moved to audience to view the overhead presentation. Ms. Robbins displayed an overhead of the site plan, minus the gardens explaining that the gardens were not complete when the site plan was prepared. Ms. Robbins clarified the Alzheimer's unit's location on the plan noting it will have a secure perimeter and that the gardens will be inside the fence. Robbins noted there were a few questions on parking and stated she had picked up a copy of the code and explained how they had interpreted the code. Robbins noted that when the building was designed they ended up with 21 spaces not including the parking that would be available around he drive area. Robbins explained how they used the ordinance to come up with the 21 spaces. Robbins noted that each person had been supplied with a copy of the outline she was referring to. Robbins stated that in the daytime there will normally be eight full-time employees on staff, approximately 5 staff in the evening, and three on graveyard shift. Robbins stated that according to the code, there needs to be one-half parking space for each employee. Robbins stated her question to the Planning & Zoning Commission is that when they figured their total spaces required they took the maximum number of employees which was eight and one- half space for each employee would be four spaces. That is the number they used for employee parking spaces. Continuing, Robbins stated that if a half parking space was needed for each employee on all three shifts and you added that number together, they would still meet the parking requirement. Robbins stated she wasn't sure which method to go by but they had thought it was based on employees on shift. Robbins explained that the numbers on the sheet relating to visitors and traffic flow were given to them by a national traffic study by the National Assisted Living Facilities of America. The numbers are the average number of visitors at a typical assisted living Planning & Zoning Commission Page 3 January 16, 1996 facility will have on any given day. Ten percent of the residents will have visitors on the day time shift. Autumn Court will have 56 residents so ten percent will be approximately 6 visitors. On the swing shift you usually have the most traffic you have, after 3 or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evening. At that time visitors will go up to about 15 percent, that would be about nine visitors at Autumn Court. On the evening, grave yard shift, there are no visitors. Holidays will be the peak time. On an average shift, 25 percent of your residents will have family come and visit. In this facility, that would be 15 visitors on any given shift. Robbins stated they had reviewed the code and it required a half space for each employee. Robbins noted that the nurse on staff will be included as an employee and an extra space can be added for her. It is required that there be one parking space for every five beds which would mean the facility would need another 11 parking spaces. That gives a total of 16 and the facility has 21 spaces not including the parking that is available in the drive area. Robbins stated they estimate six vehicles could park in that driving area. In addition, there is an additional area that is available for parking and at any time there is a need for more parking that area can be turned into parking. Robbins asked if the Commission had any questions on how they arrived at the numbers for parking spaces. No questions were noted. Robbins continued her presentation on the overhead showing floor plans of the facility. Beginning on the bottom floor, Robbins noted it would have a beauty shop, resident storage, kitchen storage, staff room, bathrooms, and commercial laundry. On the first floor, Robbins showed where the entrance to the facility would be, the Porte-cochere on the driveway, a break room, large dining area, and reception area. Robbins directed the Commission's attention to the large pictures on display. Continuing, Robbins showed how the resident rooms would be located on each wing. Robbins showed the Alzheimer's wing on the plans and noted it allows for an extra common space for activities in that area. Robbins explained the second story will house more independent, more ambulatory residents. The first floor will be an assisted living area for those residents needing more assistance with ambulation and more assistance throughout the day. Robbins noted that the second floor is home to the physical therapy suite and showed where it was located on the plans. Robbins noted the room will house the physical therapy room, exercise equipment, and a recreation area. The room is open to the dining room below. Robbins informed the group that they had just opened a new building just before Christmas and they had brought pictures to show what some of the typical residences that they have built look like. Robbins stated they were hoping to give the Commission an idea of the clients they serve as well as what the finished product will look like. Robbins displayed pictures of a client in the new facility. Mr. Glick asked if this facility had the same floor plan as the building in Kenai would have. Robbins advised no; this facility was a one story in comparison to the Kenai facility which would be a two story with four wings. Ms. Mahurin asked if the residents used their own furniture. Robbins explained that the residents bring all of their belongings with them. Robbins noted that some of the things they do when a resident moves in is hang curtains adding that they provide the blinds. In addition, they hang a wall paper border. The resident is allowed to choose the borders. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 4 January 16, 1996 Robbins showed a picture of the dining area noting it's warmth. Ms. Mahurin asked if there would be refrigerators and microwaves in the individual units. Robbins explained that all of the individual rooms have kitchenettes. In the Alzheimer unit, there are special considerations for that. Robbins displayed some of the living areas noting they are smaller areas located in corridors and this helps to make them more intimate. Mayor Williams asked if the facility had an established procedure for residents who pass away because of the sensitive nature with this facility being close to the Senior Citizen Center and other senior housing. Ms. Robbins explained there is one unit on the first floor which has been set aside for hospice. This is used for clients whose general health may be deteriorating and they may need 24-hour nursing care for the final four to six weeks of their life. They can receive hospice care and Medicare will pay for it through a home health hospice program. This allows those residents who have lived at the facility to remain there and receive additional care. Robbins noted this is the shortest wing and only has four units to allow more intensive care in that area. If somebody has a condition which will require more care, they can receive it as long as it only lasts six weeks. In Alaska, 45 days of 24 hour care in a hospice situation is allowed. Robbins stated that care be taken so that you don't make people feel isolated noting that this is still their residence and it is important that they remain there with family and with friends. There is a meeting area and a room for the families so that they can sit and receive counseling. Robbins stated they have a social worker who works both with the families and the residents. The residents also go through a very difficult time when they have a friend or someone who has been close to-them and they have a terminal situation that they have to go through. The social worker helps them work through those problems and coordinates with them. Robbins noted that it is very important for them to discuss things, to talk about things, and to be angry about things. Robbins stated occasionally they may have people who die unexpectedly and they had not been moved to the hospice area. Again, Robbins stated it is very important to the residents of the facility that they understand what happened, they help plan the funeral, and they all go to the services if they want to. Robbins stated that the whole facility acts as a family unit whenever there is a death and that it is very important that the process is coordinated through the social worker. Bereavement follow-up will be provided. Mayor Williams asked if there was a procedure if someone died stating who needed to be called, etc. Robbins stated that as part of their Policy and Procedure Manual there is a death policy that informs the staff step-by-step the steps they need to take when there is a death in the facility. This includes contacting the family, notifying the proper authorities, to who signs the death certificate, notifying the physicians, etc. Mayor Williams stated he had been having brief conversations with the hospital in Soldotna as they have been looking at trying to determine whether or not they should expand into some kind of an outpatient clinic or day service facility in Kenai. Williams asked Robbins in her opinion, would she think that it would be proper for the hospital to pursue such a project. Especially, in light of the fact that so many older citizens may be moving into the Kenai area. Robbins clarified what Mayor Williams meant by a facility. Mayor Williams explained that it could be a clinic which could even offer day surgery but with no overnight facilities. Ms. Robbins stated that they have worked Planning & Zoning Commission Page 5 January 16, 1996 with similar situations in other areas. Robbins stated they have suggested in other areas that facilities offer day surgery and also serves as a clinic. Robbins stated that they have found that in a lot of areas that people in rural locations don't have access to the same medical facilities as they do in some of the other towns similar to Kenai and Soldotna. Robbins stated that one of the benefits to Kenai would be if they could build here and it could help by providing Kenai with more specialists in other fields as well as having the same day surgery. Robbins stated they have been working with FHP and some HMO's on a national basis in Washington and one of the new concepts that has been approved is that new hospitals have no overnight accommodations and everything is done on a same-day surgery basis. They are looking at contracting with skilled nursing homes to provide overnight care. Mayor Williams stated a meeting would be planned with the Board of Directors at the hospital in late February or early March and asked if he could contact Ms. Robbins for information to present at this meeting. Ms. Robbins stated she would be glad to help prepare a packet and to be present at the meeting. Robbins noted that the City of Kenai is showing a very good growth pattern, stable economy, and stable community. Robbins commented that Kenai is positively a good place to live. Robbins commented that the way the hospice is designated is that the hospital would even be allowed to contract with the facility and use the beds in that one wing as hospice. Mr. Booth asked if the hospice wing would provide for relatives staying there. Robbins advised that the rooms are large enough to contain a love seat or a sofa bed. Robbins stated they are allowed to stay and encouraged to stay noting that very often the final days are family oriented. Mr. Verdugo advised that in each of the wings there is one room that is larger which will allow for a pull out couch. Verdugo noted that at any given time that room may be occupied so that all of the other rooms have been designed to be large enough to accept a cot. Robbins stated that death is very much a part of life and very much a family activity. Mr. Verdugo explained that in the Alzheimer unit that larger rooms can provide for a care giver spouse who can stay there but with the staff be given necessary breaks. Robbins noted that you will find that the spouses of Alzheimer residents will stay in that wing but be allowed to take part in the other activities of the more active residents. Ms. Swarner asked if there was an age requirement for the facility. Ms. Robbins stated it depends on if the city requests an age requirement. Robbins noted that their financing will set a limit of 62 or over and that will be the only age restriction placed on the facility by HUD. Robbins stated that sometimes cities do ask to place an age restriction on the facility. Robbins noted that the typical resident is over 80 and anyone younger is usually there because of a medical problem. Ms. Swarner stated that was her question that if the facility is leasing out beds overnight care through the hospital if that would be possible based on age restrictions. Ms. Robbins stated they are not licensed to do that and that would have to be provided through a skilled nursing home. Robbins stated the only thing they could provide would be if it would be for an elderly patient who met the other criteria and they wanted to contract to use the hospice bed for up to six months. Medicare would be allowed to pay for that. Ms. Mahurin clarified the use of the second floor. Ms. Robbins stated the second floor could be listed as independent living with support services. The second story would be used for those residents who need meals, may need housekeeping, may need some Planning & Zoning Commission Page 6 January 16, 1996 assistance with bathing. But, these residents are able to get up, get dressed, and move about on their own. Mobility is the major issue between the two floors. The first floor will have nursing care available and the residents do not need to be ambulatory. Ms. Mahurin questioned if 8 staff members would be sufficient with 56 units taking into consideration the office, nursing, and custodial. Ms. Robbins stated they may end up with more staff than that the eight is just average. You have the administration, secretary, food service person, servers, four aides, noting it adds up fairly quickly. Ms. Robbins noted that the people on the second floor are not being bathed and dressed and that makes a big difference. About 25 residents on the first floor have someone getting them up and dressed. The people upstairs are helped with laundry, housekeeping, and most of those services are done on the swing shift. Ms. Mahurin asked what the approximately charge for renting a room on a monthly basis would be. Ms. Robbins said it would be different for the second floor versus the first floor. Ms. Robbins stated they had been working with the state's Choice Program. This program has Medicaid vouchers for people with low to moderate income and the program qualifies people by income and by need. An individual must have two daily living skills that they need assistance with to qualify for this program. When an individual has two skills they need assistance with and fall in the low to moderate income level, the state has a Medicaid voucher program they qualify for. This program will pay from $1100 to an average of $1800 per month. Robbins said they are agreeing to accept the vouchers for those Medicare clients. Robbins said there are few places accepting the vouchers and they will be the only ones in this area. The second floor rooms will rent for between $1800 to $2200 a month and the first floor they will be approximately $3000 per month. The nursing component brings the expense up. Mr. Booth asked if the traffic pattern for personnel inside the building insured some type of security for the Alzheimer's patients. Ms. Robbins advised it is a secured area with doors that are monitored and alarms that will go off if anyone leaves. Ms. Robbins added that when the weather is nice the outside doors can be opened but it is secured with a fence. Mr. Booth clarified that the traffic pattern for everyone else would be at the ends of each of the wings. Ms. Robbins noted there will be an aide assigned to each wing. Mr. Verdugo explained that Alzheimer patients will have a bracelet that allows them to be electronically monitored. Mr. Booth asked how the staff would insure everyone was out of the building during a fire. Ms. Robbins stated that quarterly fire drills are required on each shift so that all employees are trained. Discussion on how fire drills are held and residents are accounted for. Ms. Robbins stated that fire drills are held using national standards that they must follow. Ms. Robbins added that all the doors are on automatic closure and it is a sprinkled building. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 7 January 16, 1996 PHIL BRYSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE SUBMITTED SITE PLAN AND THE PROPOSED PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS AS STATED. MOTION SECONDED BY KAREN MAHURIN. VOTE: GLICK YES BRYSON YES GOECKE YES BOOTH YES MAHURIN YES WALKER YES MOTION PASSED. Chairman Walker thanked the Continuum Corporation for their presentation and commented on the excellent presentation. 4. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m. Resp ctfull Submitted: i ! Maril n Kebschull Administrative Assistant Planning & Zoning Commission Page 8 January 16, 1996