Voters Like Senior Housing Plan, Company Says

The developers of a proposed senior housing complex on Howe Road said a survey shows that voters favor the plan.

A poll of voters taken in August shows that 70 percent of Strongsville voters support Issue 72, which would rezone the property to Senior Housing and pave the way for the project, according to Bill Boyer, president of FirstNorth Corporation. 

Issue 72, which will be decided by voters at the polls Nov. 5, would rezone a 4-acre parcel on Howe Road next to KidsFirst Learning Center — also owned and operated by FirstNorth —from R1 residential to SR2, a senior residential district.

In Strongsville, any change in a residential district must be approved by voters.

Voters like the location because senior housing generally produces very little traffic, but does generate tax revenues to support local schools and government," Boyer said in a news release.

The project, when built, is estimated to pay over $400,000 a year in new taxes.

The $10 million, multi-story facility for people 50 and older would include 100-plus units and would offer amenities like dining and entertainment as well as health and recreational facilities.

Boyer said he was gratified to see Strongsville residents support housing for older adults.

“Strongsville voters discriminate thoughtfully. They are careful with their opinions and preferences,” he said.

The rezoning process the the company took was uncommon. Instead of asking City Council to OK the rezoning for the ballot, Boyer's firm gathered more than 2,500 signatures on initiative petitions and filed them with the city. 

FirstNorth Corporation, of Olmsted Falls, hired ResearchAmerica Inc. of Philadelphia  to conduct the independent opinion survey.

Boyer said “71% of voters approve new high quality development in the city generally. This shows a marked up-tick from our 2006 survey, when only 51% of voters approved new development. Strongsville is now friendlier to economic growth, reflecting voters’ broad satisfaction [94%] with Strongsville as a place to live.”

Besides increased tax revenues, voters cited close shopping, recreation, retail amenities and good access roads among their main reasons for supporting the measure. 

Boyer and his wife, Martha, own and operate KidsFirst Learning Centers, which they founded in 1992.  FirstNorth has also developed residential projects in other cities, both for-sale and rental units.

“This (Strongsville) project will feature state-of-the-art amenities, like concierge services and will include the latest technologies to provide the very best care to senior residents,” Martha Boyer said.