Arden Courts -- Fair Oaks of Fairfax requested approval of an additional eight beds, 2,648 square feet, to its existing 56-bed facility at 12469 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway.
The Planning Commission recommended its approval with a 8-0 vote on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to conduct its hearing on Nov. 1, 2016.
Arden Courts is an assisted living facility that focuses on the needs of memory care patients.
“Unfortunately there is a growing need,” said Mark Viani, who represents the applicant.
Arden Courts - Fair Oaks of Fairfax requested to make a two-bed addition to each of its four wings, adding 12 feet to the front wings and 26 feet to the rear wings.
The maximum number of employees for Arden Courts has been increased to 25 employees per shift.
“Most members of our Fair Oaks Green HOA have no issue with the expansion of the nursing home. We think it’s a need and we fully support it,” said Christina Phillips, president of the neighboring homeowners association Fair Oaks Green.
She and her homeowners association wanted Arden Courts to help solve illegal parking that occurs on the service road.
“We want signage to ensure a safe community,” said Phillips.
“We are happy to work with the community. I certainly understand their concerns,” said Viani.
The application had been deferred to address the issue, and Arden Courts added seven additional parking spaces in addition to ensuring that signage will be posted reminding visitors and employees to refrain from parking on the service drive along Route 50.
“During the review of the application, staff received comments from the community that parking is occurring along the service drive, which does not have an adequate width to accommodate on-street parking without requiring vehicles to cross the double-yellow line,” according to planning documents.
Arden Courts is part of the overall ManorCare/Winchester Homes development which includes an existing skilled nursing facility and single family attached dwellings.
“There’s nothing more important than having a family member nearby,’ said Mason District Planning Commissioner Julie M.Strandlie, whose 102-year-old grandmother stayed at the facility. “I can say parking was a problem, and I’m glad you’ve addressed it.”