Letter to the Editor: Discrimination Claims ‘Nonsensical’

Richard Michalski's claim of discrimination against elderly disabled senior citizens by Oakland Township is likely the most nonsensical statement that the residents of the Township have ever read or heard. (Read more here.)

The applicant /owner of the 42-acre site, a/k/a Blossom Ridge, has stated  he wants 342 living units, then 282, then 238 and now 228 living units and of course, the applicant wants to ignore the Township Zoning Ordinance. Keep in mind that each of the Township Board Trustees is aware that Larry Nix our Township Planner, checked comparable senior developments in surrounding communities and confirmed the average number of living units to be just under 103.

Even more guidance is provided by the two largest senior living providers, Brookdale and Emeritus. Brookdale in 2013 is the nation's largest with 647 developments having a total of 64,354 living units, an average of 99.4 living units per development. Emeritus, as the second largest senior living provider with 482 developments has a total of 47,443 living units and a average of 98.4 living units per development.

Needless to say, 126 living units at the proposed Blossom Ridge is a more than reasonable number of living units with 64 units in apartment building and 62 units in a cluster home configuration. All units would of course be ADA compliant, a minimum of 800 square

feet per unit and subject to all other limitations, etc. of the Oakland Township Zoning Ordinance.

With the foregoing in mind, Mr. Michalski should review the definitions of advocate and shill and realize that they are indeed quite different.

Sincerely,

Francis P. Hughes