Assisted-living facility nixed; concerns aired

Mark Fiorentino had nailed down responses for all but one concern raised by Sunrise Manor residents who strongly opposed a planned 85-room assisted living facility in their neighborhood.

The Las Vegas attorney quickly stepped before Clark County commissioners on Wednesday and addressed a barrage of worries he knew would be voiced by some 50 people in attendance.

The home for the elderly wouldn't be noisy, it wouldn't generate more traffic, cause crime or hurt property values. And while it appears to be large, it would be shrouded with trees and bushes which would make it look like a one-story house.

"The only concern we can't address is that this is a special area and you don't belong here," said Fiorentino, echoing sentiments he's heard about the assisted living home.

That one concern is what sunk Fiorentino's project.

Board members overturned the Planning Commission's July 9 vote to approve the project along Hollywood Boulevard, saying it did not fit in with the ranch estates neighborhood.

The debate raised questions about where similar facilities belong -- in residential areas or commercial districts.

Commissioners Mary Kincaid and Erin Kenny said Fiorentino's request was about the fifth request for a retirement center or nursing home that board members have entertained in the last few months.

No ordinance exists that specifically says where the facilities should go and whether architectural design conditions should be placed on them. The board asked county officials to expedite findings of a focus group exploring the issue.

"I'm surprised at the change in attitude over the years," Kincaid said. "We've had people protest schools, churches, nursing homes and fire stations. These are all things we say belong in neighborhoods."

The discussion stirred emotions because most people have relatives or friends in assisted living facilities. Lorraine Hunt's mother-in-law lives in a facility and Kincaid's brother relies on assisted living.

"Where are we going to put them?" Kincaid said. "You don't want to take away the last shred of independence an older person has."

Fiorentino said that is exactly what assisted living residents want to be -- independent. He said the average age of the elderly people who would have moved into the building was 82.

They are people who can't live on their own, but don't want to move into a nursing home. They like to take evening walks and go out to dinner.

"We agree that Sunrise Manor is a nice place to live," Fiorentino told commissioners. "That's why we picked this site. Folks who will live here deserve to live in a special area."

Bradley Smith, a Priscilla Street resident, likens his neighborhood to Beverly Hills and believes that was the intention of developers who gave streets names like Hollywood Boulevard.

Smith told the commission that plenty of places for senior citizens exist and a facility doesn't belong in a residential area where lot sizes range from a half-acre to five acres.

The 56,000 square-foot retirement home would sit on 4 acres.

"We have wonderful facilities for seniors; we have a master plan for seniors," Smith said. "We love our seniors. I'd love to go visit senior citizens."

Resident Iris Newman said commercial trucks that would provide cleaning services or deliver food to the building's main dining room would put children in danger.

Neighbor Judy Puckett said judging by colored sketches, the white building with cone-shaped rooftops looked like a hospital or institution. She also suggested the owners -- Ulich Family Revocable Living Trust -- were simply out to get money and the facility should be in a commercial district.

Kenny said the building was as much a commercial business as the housing development in which the protesters lived. She initially said the building looked like a "Georgia mansion."

But as each commissioner offered reasons why they intended to vote against the assisted living facility, Kenny reconsidered and said the building was too big and overshadowed the homes.

The commission voted 5-0. Commissioners Myrna Williams and Yvonne Atkinson Gates were absent.

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