CYPRESS : Council Delays Senior Center Plans

Plans to build a new senior center were delayed this week by the City Council because of concerns over the proposed parking lot.

Mayor Walter K. Bowman objected to the parking configuration, specifically a request to share 10 spots with an adjacent apartment complex. Other council members worried that the Sunrise Apartments, a senior complex, could change hands and be reverted back to general use.

“I don’t want to provide 10 spaces to a privately owned property,” Bowman told his fellow council members before asking to delay approval.

Instead of rejecting the entire project, council members agreed to table the decision until their next meeting so the parking provision could be investigated and possibly removed.

Although delayed, city planners assured that the project, which has been in the works for more than five years, is still moving ahead as planned. City Planner Chris Eynon said the postponement would not interfere with the current development schedule.

The center is planned for a 2.6-acre parcel on Grindlay Street that was originally Cypress Elementary School. The seniors have occupied the site since 1980, but have since grown out of the facility.

Plans submitted this week called for the construction of a 3,800-square-foot multipurpose room, exercise facility, pool hall, library and full kitchen along with several other amenities.

The council will reconsider the recommendation Oct. 28.