Don Haney, Administrator of Thornapple Manor, went before Barry Commissioners at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday requesting recommendation for approval at the next Board of Commissioners meeting, of a resolution supporting Thornapple Manor’s exploration into adding Independent and Assisted Living Units and Adult Day Care Services.
Haney said that housing in Barry County is a big need across all age and income levels, and gave a summary of a market analysis that was completed in June by the Plante Moran Living Forward group for Thornapple Manor. According to the high level market study, Barry County currently needs 280 independent senior living units and 60 assisted living units. 22 adult day care slots are needed, according to the study.
Haney stressed there is no planned project at this time, but with approval of the resolution by the Commission, Thornapple Manor will spend the money to continue exploring the possibilities, feasibility, and cost projections of adding some combination of Independent and Assisted Living units and adult day care services.
The resolution states that Thornapple Manor will not move forward with any project that is not financially self-supporting to repay any debt required for construction.
In other business the Committee of the Whole:
-Interviewed four applicants for the Veterans Affairs Committee. One person will be recommended to the Board for appointment to one open partial term.
-Interviewed two applicants for the Zoning Board of Appeals. There are two open positions, and a recommendation was deferred until after a third applicant is available to be interviewed.
-Recommended approval of a request by Blue Zones LLC to use office space at the Barry Eaton Health Department building in Hastings.
-Voted to move forward for approval a request to replace concrete steps at the rear entrance of the Barry County Sheriff’s Office for $5,837 from the building rehabilitation fund, and a budget amendment and purchase request for a new mower for the Hastings-Barry County airport for $6,524.
-Recommended approval changes to the by-laws for the Barry County Conservation Easement Board, changes to the Farmland Preservation Selection Criteria, and changes to the Open Space Preservation Selection Criteria.
