Hospital site could become new home for seniors
Westlake Village project draws mixed reviews
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

During the Westlake Village City Council's first public discussion of a project proposed for the former Westlake Medical Center site, a strong message was sent to the developer. Several council members and residents said the project may be too big for both the property and the neighborhood.

Sunrise Development Inc. of Newport Beach hopes to build a 271,000-square-foot independent and assisted-living senior housing facility on the 6.5-acre site situated off Lakeview Canyon and Watergate roads.

The building would house 170 one- and two-bedroom independent living units and 40 rental units for assisted living. An underground parking lot would accommodate 200 vehicles. Daily meals, an activity program, transportation, housekeeping, a beauty salon, library and theater would be among the services and amenities offered.

While no one at the meeting disputed the need for senior housing or the success of the Virginia-based company as a senior housing provider, concern was expressed about the proposed building's dimensions.

"Everybody agrees that Sunrise is terrific, the building is beautiful, but it comes down to size. I have very serious concerns about size," Councilmember Mark Rutherford said at the Feb. 28 meeting.

The hospital building on the site is 78,000 square feet in size. Resident Floyd Bennett compared the Sunrise project to doubling the size of the Costco store in Westlake Village. The Costco store is one story. The proposed building would be three.

"It's very dense and in close proximity to homes. It will have a lasting negative effect on the value of the community in that area," Bennett said.

Adjacent to the property is Westminster Presbyterian Church, which has used the site for overflow parking. Sunrise has offered to allocate an acre at the rear of the property for the church to use as a parking lot. The Rev. Richard Thompson and a number of the church's members appealed to the council to support the project.

"We have 750 families at Westminster Presbyterian, including 250 folks who could move into Sunrise today," Thompson said.

David Spencer expressed support for the project, noting that his mother resides at a Sunrise facility where she receives "excellent care."

"This will help many of us Westlakers remain in our beautiful community," Spencer said.

The condition of the existing building, which closed in 1997, is unacceptable, said Don Miller, a resident of First Neighborhood. On a recent tour Miller saw large holes in the roof, discarded liquor bottles and dead trees. The Sunrise project would require demolition of the building and would be a welcome replacement, he added.

Councilmember Philippa Klessig said she felt the proposed project was too much like a hotel, offering features that would keep residents on-site.

"I'd like to see more open space around the building and less services, so residents can interrelate with the community," Klessig said.

First Neighborhood and Westlake Presbyterian Church are the core of the city of Westlake Village, Mayor Sue McSweeney said.

"I think we have to think long and hard how any project is going to affect First Neighborhood," McSweeney said.

The council is expected to formally consider the project sometime in late fall after an environmental impact report is completed.

More than 10,000 people 65 and older live in the Conejo Valley, according to Wayne Sant, senior vice president of development for Sunrise. The development would allow residents to remain in the community as they age and require more help.

"A good core group of affluent residents are interested in living there or bringing their parents to live close by," Sant said. "The shopping, churches, civic events, safety and freeway access make this area a desirable place to live."

Sunrise, in existence since 1981, operates 440 properties nationwide including 40 in California. Among them is a facility at Townsgate and Lakeview Canyon roads in Westlake Village. There also are centers in Camarillo, West Hills and Woodland Hills.

Since last fall, Sunrise executives have been meeting with Westlake residents including those who live in First Neighborhood, which is closest to the project. Sant said the company has been sensitive to residents' concerns in the design of the building, including locating the driveway away from homes to minimize noise from trash collection trucks and delivery vehicles, and incorporating architecture that is compatible with other Westlake buildings.

The project would attract less traffic than a school, hospital or church, Sant added. The facility would employ a staff of about 40 to 45, which would peak at midday. The early morning and evening staff would be minimal, about six to eight people.

The site is a good one for this project, he said.

"It's hard to find buildings we're comfortable putting our name on because of age or because people don't build to our standards," Sant said. "Our buildings retain their value long-term."

For more information about the Sunrise proposal, visit www.sunriseofwestlake.com.