A conceptual site plan of the Antrim Mills complex proposed by Zander Kempf and Mitchell Rasor of Clear Summit Investments. (Courtesy photo)
A new proposal for the Antrim Mills complex could bring an assisted-living facility to Main Street in Antrim.
Antrim Mills owner Zander Kempf had previously applied for a mixed-use development at the site, but told the Planning Board Thursday that due to structural problems discovered at the building, his financing fell through and the project had been canceled.
Kempf and his partner, Mitchell Rasor, outlined their proposal for an assisted-living facility with around 35 residential units. The project would include commercial space for small businesses in the historic brick building fronting Main Street.
“We are here to get feedback from you all before we go too far with the project, because we know this is a centerpiece of the town,” Kempf said.
Rasor said the site plan would not change from the previous project, and that the DEA permits, including for shoreline construction on Great Brook, were still valid.
“Only the use would change,” Rasor said.
The bulk of the assisted-living facility would be built behind the Main Street mill building, on the site of the old warehouses along Great Brook. The main door and parking would be in the rear of the building.
Another four-story building across the brook is also part of the complex, which Kempf said could possibly be developed into apartments.
The plan also includes a pedestrian bridge across Great Brook.
Answering questions from Planning Board members about why Rasor and Kempf were now planning to build assisted living instead of multifamily housing as previously proposed, Kempf said they “had to make the numbers work.”
“Building straight multifamily was not feasible,” Kempf said. “Assisted living generates more revenue per unit than regular housing. We are trying to design a project that can get financing.”
Planning Board member John Anderson said that when the previous project was proposed, a “major sticking point” was the height of the roof, which would require a variance.
“Our fire truck ladder is 35 feet high, and your roof is 40 feet,” Anderson said.
Kempf explained that they are planning a four-story facility, which would require the additional five feet,
“The request for the additional story is to get the square footage to where it will make sense. These facilities they need have to be a certain scale for it to make sense financially,” Kempf said, adding that most assisted living facilities are between 60,000 and 70,000 square feet.
Anderson questioned the potential impact of an assisted living facility on Antrim’s emergency services.
“My biggest concern is the liability to the town and how it would affect our volunteer rescue squad, which we are trying to keep all-volunteer,” Anderson said. “Who would pay for the ambulance calls?”
Anderson also asked if the assisted-living facility would be for-profit or nonprofit.
“We would like to keep the building on the tax rolls, and we would like to clarify that it will be for-profit and you will pay property taxes to the town,” Anderson said.
Kempf confirmed that the business will be for-profit, and that his company would partner with an experienced operator of assisted-living facilities or rent the facility out to an operator.
“Most likely, we would maintain control of the property and have a partnership,” Rasor said.
Kempf said they would meet with Fire Chief Marshall Gale to address concerns about fire codes, access for emergency equipment, parking, and traffic before they return to the board with their application.
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