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Minutes, September 23, 1985 <br />page 2 <br />ARTICLES FOR 1986 TOWN MEETING <br />201. Choate-Symmes Retirement Community, Ricci property, Waltham Street: <br />Choate-Symmes Life Care, Inc. represented by Fred C. Bailey, Tom Huebner, and <br />architects Biff Longfield and Benjamin Burdsall presented their proposal to <br />construct a life care retirement center on a 29.437 acre site on the east side of <br />Waltham Street adjoining the Waltham city line. They will request rezoning to <br />an RD district. <br />Mr. Bailey said that the center would provide for the residential, personal and <br />health care needs of the "over -65" at a single location, consisting of three <br />functional elements, constructed in the architectural style of New England, and <br />Lexington in particular. These elements are residential living units, health care <br />facitities and community spaces. Mr. Bailey noted that their research had shown <br />a shortage of this type of facility and a need for this type of care. <br />Mr. Longfield presented the site plan and described the site factors influencing <br />the design of the facility such as excessive slopes, tree cover, ponds and wet- <br />lands. They have one access to Waltham Street and hope to have a second from the <br />Waltham side of the development. Mr. Huebner said there were about five acres of <br />wetland, and they would work closely with the Conservation Commission during <br />their design process. BSC will do their traffic study. Mrs. Smith asked if they <br />would be able to increase the Waltham Street access width to at least 50 feet. <br />' Mr. Huebner felt that they would be able to do this. <br />There will be 250 living units, consisting of studio, one, two and a few three <br />bedroom units. The health care component will consist of a 60 -bed nursing home. <br />Mrs. Klauminzer asked for a break -down of the bedroom mix. Mr. Huebner did not <br />have exact numbers. He thought there was a small number of studios, more one and <br />two bedrooms, and a few three bedroom units. <br />In answer to questions about the cost of living there, Mr. Huebner said there <br />would be an endowment fee of between $100,000 and $200,000 refundable upon leav- <br />ing or to the estate. Units would cost about $700 to $1400 per month, including <br />nursing fees and meals. Mrs. Flemings addressed the issue of affordability. Mr. <br />Huebner felt that the nursing service made the life care retirement community <br />more costly than traditional housing such as condominiums and apartments, but <br />that they would consider any suggestions. Mrs. Smith suggested they meet with <br />the Housing Needs Advisory Committee. <br />Mrs. Smith noted that the Town hopes to provide as many different housing options <br />as possible to its inhabitants; and was pleased to recognize all the Lexington <br />people involved in the proposal. She felt that the proposal was well thought <br />out. <br />202. Middlesex Mall property, off Lowell Street, letter from Northland: The <br />Board discussed a letter from Northland proposing a rezoning. When they have <br />plans to present for review, the Board will be glad to discuss the proposal with <br />them. <br />