Update: Push for Senior Development Moves Forward

The City Council did give the green light to a developer last week to pursue a 34-acre senior-living development on the site where Armstrong Growers keeps its plants.

The proposal calls for an independent living component with 415 semi-detached units, congregate care with common dining and recreation areas and skilled nursing on 34 acres along Del Obispo Street, according to a city staff report. Residents would be age-restrict to 60 years old and older.

While the retail outlet of Armstrong would remain -- though initially staff said at last week's council meeting it wouldn't -- the "fields" behind it would definitely go.

Although the land is zoned for agriculture, "they’re not growing crops in the ground, they’re not growing plants in the ground," said Nelson Miller, interim director of development services. It's really a distribution center where plants grown elsewhere wait to get shipped out.

Armstrong is working with the city to find another location in San Juan Capistrano, if possible, Miller said. 

Councilman Larry Kramer said he was sorry to see the more agriculture-like use go.

"It looks like agriculture as I drive by, and it’s nice to have had it there. Things do change," Kramer said.

"I certainly support helping seniors because one day I’ll be a senior myself," he said. Byrnes is 89.