What's Next for Allegro in Town and Country?

With nearly 40 residents speaking out against the proposed Allegro Senior Living Center at the Town and Country Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Wednesday, the commission opted to recommend denying requests that would allow Allegro to build near Mason and Clayton Roads.

Wirth property, the so-called vacant 8.8 acres neighboring Mason Woods Village shopping center, would be the site for the proposed development. Currently zoned Suburban Estate, Allegro requested a new zoning classification—and the subsequent rezoning of land to that classification—to accommodate usage for the senior living center.

The new zone, called "Planned Commercial and Assisted Living Facility District (PCALF)," would encompass Wirth property and Mason Woods Village. Along with construction of the senior community, Allegro said they would make improvements to Mason Woods Village. Straub's, Starbucks, Heartland Bank and John Mineo's are a few tenants in the shopping center at Mason and Clayton.

Much to the delight of residents in attendance at the more than three-hour meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to deny these requests from Allegro. 

The proposals are up for review next from the board of aldermen, who could still approve the requests with a two-thirds majority vote.

Allegro, with facilities in Florida and Kentucky, would house 150 living units, totaling 175,000 square feet, according to Rich Miller, executive vice president of Allegro Senior Living, LLC.

Miller presented the site plan and zoning requests at a public hearing during the commission meeting Wednesday, detailing amenities and location needs for the senior community.

Miller said the suggested 100-foot buffer between Allegro and neighboring homes would be "more than enough" to meet city standards, adding that the senior living facility is a "need specific to this area" with a "growing population" of senior citizens.

Proposed changes to Mason Woods Village included adding outdoor seating areas, surrounding fence, sign and water feature at the intersection, light fixtures, and a drive-thru at Heartland Bank.

But residents echoed throughout public comments that Allegro was "a lovely facility, but it doesn't belong in Town and Country," citing present traffic concerns, population density, and current zoning standards as a few reasons for disagreement.

Another concern was a mentioned one-percent Community Improvement District (CID) tax that would be added at the shopping center to pay for improvements at Mason Woods Village. Richard Jensen and his wife, Louise, were a few of several residents who said they enjoyed the shopping center but didn't see a need for the CID.

"Does it make any sense that we pay for their improvements?" Richard Jensen said during public comments.

Others stressed a need to keep current zoning regulations in tact with the city's comprehensive plan, which was revised in 2010.

"A change in zoning is a dangerous precedent to set," said resident Barbara Ann Hughes.

The next Town and Country Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12.