Adult Daycare Center Planned in Ferguson Township

Ferguson Township Planning Commission on Monday reviewed preliminary land development plans for a new adult daycare facility.

The 9,774-square-foot, 20-feet-high building is planned for 2151 Sandy Drive and will include an associated driveway, parking lot and landscaping on the 1.5-acre property. The parking lot includes 29 parking spaces, including two van-accessible handicap spaces.

Seneca Realty Company, a boutique real estate firm based in Pittsburgh, is listed in plan documents as the project developer.

Few specifics about the facility’s operational plans were discussed during Monday’s meeting. Adult daycare centers typically provide daytime services for older individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities, allowing them to socialize with peers while giving their regular caregivers a break, according to AARP.

The property for the proposed facility is located in the township’s light industrial, research and development zone, where child daycare centers are permitted as a use by right but adult daycare centers are not mentioned. Miles Zakos, community planner, said that after discussion with the applicant, the township zoning officer and solicitor determined “it is reasonable to conclude that an adult daycare center is nearly the same use as a child daycare center in terms of use and land use impact and therefore the township will allow an adult daycare center the same as it would a child daycare center.”

Much of Monday’s discussion centered on the developer’s request for a modification to fencing requirements during construction that will allow for the preservation of two large white oak tress at the rear of the property while accommodating installation of stormwater management facilities.

Adjoining property owner Robert Etchells asked that the trees not be cut down because they provide shade and because of their size and beauty.

Ed Race, of project engineer PennTerra, said that in order to avoid removing the trees while building a retaining wall needed for stormwater pods, the developer will need to encroach on the fence line that would normally be required.

“The waiver is to allow us to move that fence around to allow for construction of the retaining wall,” Race said. “As soon as we’re done with work in that area, the fence would be pulled back to where it’s required to be. It just allows us a little bit more flexibility to work in that area.”

An arborist also will be on site to ensure the trees are protected during the stormwater work.

The Planning Commission gave unanimous conditional approval to the preliminary land development plan and the fencing modifications.

Etchells applauded the developer and township staff for their efforts to preserve the trees.

“I’m not an expert in planning and zoning but I am somewhat of an authority in adult day care an elder care, having recently retired after 35 years in the elder care business as a senior vice president of operations,” Etchells sad. I’m well aware of the licensing procedures to get your license to have an adult daycare center, and I can say any organization that is willing to go this extra mile to save these beautiful trees and let them die a natural death many years from now instead of artificial chainsaw is greatly, greatly appreciated.”

Approval of a final land development plan by the Board of Supervisors will be required before construction on the facility begins.