By Kristin Bednarski
Sun staff
Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices is planning to build a skilled nursing and rehabilitation neighborhood in Union Township.
Trustees approved zoning amendments for the facility at their Dec. 13 meeting.
Sue McConn, vice president of Otterbein, said now that the zoning has been approved they will be able to move forward with the facility.
McConn said they began looking for a second location in Clermont County about five months ago. She said they ended up selecting a parcel off Bach-Buxton Road near Clough Pike.
“We are anxious and happy we can move the project into Clermont County provide service to the people,” McConn said.
She said they plan to build one of their skilled nursing and rehabilitation neighborhoods, which are made up of five, nearly 7,000 square-foot residential homes that will each accommodate 10 individuals.
“The houses will look like everybody else’s house,” McConn said. “Each resident has a private room, private bath and shower, which is pretty different.”
She said the neighborhood will be staffed 24-hours a day by professionals in the industry.
“We like it because they live in a residential area all of their lives,” McConn said. “Our houses just fit into a residential feel.”
Cory Wright, zoning administrator for Union Township, said the zoning requirements for the new buildings include landscaping requirements to buffer the buildings along the road as well as requirements on trash pick-up services.
He said that because Otterbein is styled like a residential neighborhood it will fit in well in that area.
“It will be an excellent transition from residential to commercial across the street,” Wright said about the location.
Trustee Tim Donnellon said Otterbein officials were originally looking at another location in Clermont County, but selected the property in Union Township.
He said Otterbein’s decision to build in the township reflects the fact that township officials will work with business to build in the area and improve the community.
“I am pretty proud of that,” Donnellon said.
Otterbein was founded in 1912 as a human service ministry offering nursing care. Today, the company has multiple lifestyle communities and skilled nursing and rehabilitation neighborhoods in Ohio, including a location in Miami Township.
McConn said they expect to begin construction on the Union Township neighborhood next year, likely in the spring after they finalize design plans.
For more information about Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices visit www.otterbein.org.