Crosslands wants a renovation

Crosslands retirement community
wants to make some changes to its health and wellness facility and needs to get
approval from Pennsbury Township supervisors.

The board held a conditional
use hearing for the project on June 15 and have 45 days to render a decision.
Township solicitor Tom Oeste said a decision is likely during the Board of
Supervisors’ July meeting.

Testifying for Crosslands was
architect Timothy Cassidy who said approximately 4,000 square feet of the
85,000 square foot health and wellness center would be torn down, but that
27,000 square feet would be added.

Additionally, the impervious
cover in the parking area would be increased, but still kept within the limits
of township code. The number of parking spaces would increase from 93 to 110.

Also testifying was Phil
DeBaun, Crossland’s executive director, who said the total number of living
units would remain the same at 280. What would change, he said, are the number
of beds and rooms in the personal care and skilled nursing areas.

There are currently 64 skilled
nursing beds in 55 rooms. The double occupancy rooms would go away, as would
four of the beds. At the end, there would be 60 beds in 60 rooms.

In the personal care wing, the
49 beds in 49 rooms would increase to 51 each, he said.

The idea is to create a “more
residential environment” to the facilities with more space and larger bathrooms,
DeBaun said.

He added that the physical
therapy and exercise facilities, including the pool, would be separated for
better service.

DeBaun also said that there
would still be three community dining areas, though one of them would be moved
to another part of the building. Several satellite dining areas would be added
closer to some rooms for those who can’t get to the main dining rooms.

While supervisors questioned
the need for the extra parking and impervious coverage, as well as the capacity
of the sewage facilities, there was no challenge of the plan or its intent.
Engineer Matt Houtmann said he has reviewed the plans and sent out his review
letter.

John Jaros, the attorney
representing Crosslands, said the applicant hopes to get started in the fall.
Demolition and construction are expected to last about 18 months.

Cassidy said residents and
employees would be playing “incremental musical chairs” while work is underway.

Other business

• The Bark Park is expected to
have its formal opening June 25, between 9 and 11 a.m. Township Manager Kathy
Howley said there are two areas to the park, one for small dogs and one for
larger dogs.

• Howley also reported the township
received a $10,000 recycling grant from the Department of Environmental
Protection.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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