Home for Elderly Gets OK to Grow

Golden Years Guest Home, a residential care facility for the elderly at 14752 Holt Ave., has won its bid to expand to 16 beds from six.

The city’s Planning Commission had approved the project in September, but that decision was appealed by the City Council, which wanted to review the plan.

Councilman Thomas R. Saltarelli said he was concerned about possible parking problems and the number of patients who would be at the site. But after hearing testimony from the families of clients, he and his colleagues gave unanimous support for the project.

“I was comfortable that the compromise on parking was justified, based on the quality of care and the need for housing for the elderly in homes like this,” Saltarelli said.

In addition, he said, most of the residents at the home do not drive, which reduces the need for parking spaces.

Under the plan approved this week, a five-space parking lot will be built, as will a long driveway for temporary parking, officials said.

Golden Years, which has cared for elderly residents since 1980, will remodel an apartment complex behind the current facility and will make some changes to the main building.