By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A 115-bed facility for seniors is being planned on 18.3 acres along South Dunbridge Road in Bowling Green.
A zoning change has been requested, from A-1 agricultural to I-1 institutional, for the property that sits just north of the Wood County office building at 639 S. Dunbridge Road.
A public hearing on the zoning change will be held on March 4, at 7 p.m., in the city council chambers at 304 N. Church St.
The zoning change application was submitted by Whitson Properties LLC, of Findlay, and Bowling Green Healthcare Real Estate LLC, Indianapolis.
In their application, the businesses state that rezoning will allow for the development of a new senior care facility, including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care and independent living. They also state that the facility would create a “considerable amount of new jobs” in the city of Bowling Green.
The “health campus” will feature a single-story and partial two-story facility, with approximately 85,000 square feet. There will be 22 independent living units on the second floor, 54 licensed short-term and long-term beds for skilled nursing residents, and 41 beds for assisted living residents. One of the assisted living hallways will be dedicated to memory care residents.
The skilled nursing wing will have approximately 80% to 85% private rooms, with the remaining as semi-private rooms with each having a private toilet room that includes a shower.
The skilled nursing and assisted living wings will have separate dining and common areas.
The layout of the facility will consist of five wings that will come off the main hallway. The wings will house the kitchen, laundry, offices, physical therapy, dining and recreational areas. The building is also designed to have a variety of outdoor spaces, including courtyards and covered porches.
Potential traffic concerns were addressed in a letter to the Bowling Green Planning Commission. According to Avenue Development, of Indianapolis, the height of the traffic generated by the site will occur during staff shift changes, which will overlap one to two hours. None of the skilled nursing or assisted living residents will have vehicles on the site.
Most visitors are likely to come to the facility during evening hours around dinner time.
Food delivery and trash pickup will occur during regular business hours, typically between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The “health campus” is designed to be a “destination for aging seniors” for health and wellness that will offer services for residents looking to down-size, those in need of guided help with activities and dietary needs, those in need of longer closely monitored stays, and post-surgery residents looking for quick rehabilitation and return back to their homes.
