An assisted living center proposed for a five-acre parcel along County Road 101 drew about a dozen Villagers to a meeting Tuesday of the Wildwood Planning & Zoning Committee.
The property is north of County Road 466, near the Villages of Glenbrook and Polo Ridge and across the road from the Village of Parkwood, which is not part of The Villages.
Special Magistrate Archie O. Lowry Jr. recommended rezoning the vacant, recently annexed property to low-density residential. His recommendation is subject to approval by the Wildwood City Commission.
City development director Melanie Peavy said the project will need a special exception to be located in an area with low-density residential zoning.
He said the zoning permits the proposed Banyan Assisted Living Facility to have up to 20 units with three or four residents per unit.
Land owner Greg Anderson said the facility will be constructed in a resort style with low density and sufficient open space. Buildings will be single story and efforts will be made to preserve as many live oaks on the property as possible.
But Villagers opposed the project.
“We just don’t want that by our property right now,” said Marjorie Bridgewater. “It’s got a lot of wildlife there.”
Harold Fischer said he’s concerned that the facility will hurt property values.
After the meeting, Anderson met with some of the Villagers to discuss the project.
