EAST WINDSOR: Planning Board OKs assisted living facility

By Doug Carman, Staff Writer
   EAST WINDSOR — The Planning Board on Monday green-lighted plans for a new 120-bed assisted living facility that includes a 20-unit Alzheimer’s wing.
   With a 5-0 vote, the board approved The Seasons at East Windsor, putting the project on track for ground-breaking on a 4-acre plot along Princeton-Hightstown Road west of Old Trenton Road. Board member Anthony Catana was absent from the meeting and board member John Zoiler recused himself from the discussion and vote.
   Ronak Shah, who is resident of both E.W. Acquisitions, which owns the property, and Flagship Properties, which will operate Seasons at East Windsor upon its completion, said his company has some other procedures to follow but hopes to break ground before the end of the year.
   The Alzheimer’s wing, Mr. Shah, said, would make the center unique.
   ”Most of the facilities don’t have that many beds dedicated to Alzheimer’s,” he said. “We feel it’s a very important component … to provide to the senior community, and it also fits in with our approach to assisted living.”
   Mr. Shah told the Herald that the assisted living facility should bring a minimum of 20 jobs to the area. Though he declined to name the exact locations, Mr. Shah also said his company was considering building other assisted living facilities nearby.
   ”We’re looking to develop a cluster of assisted living facilities within the area. This is our first model of which we’re going to set as the benchmark as to model our other facilities in the area,” Mr. Shah said.
   One East Windsor resident spoke favorably of the project during Monday’s Planning Board meeting.
   ”I think it will be a good addition to (Route) 571,” said Carole Genovese.
   Much of Monday’s meeting focused on the design of Season’s building, its lighting and a nearby drainage basin. The architect behind the development was asked to modify the latter two aspects by the Planning Board at its Jan. 24 meeting.
   In addition to the Alzheimer’s unit, Seasons will have its own hair salon and a community room, along with lounges in each of its three floors. Most of the beds would be located within studio apartments, while some “friendship suites” would pair two bedrooms with a kitchenette and bathroom.
   Presentations for the assisted living facility first came to the Planning Board in June 2009.