To the editor:

I recently attended a Lawrence Planning Commission meeting as a concerned resident about an assisted living facility that was allowed to be built in our neighborhood. The home added a large structure on to the existing property to house 11 disabled residents. It has increased traffic, increase noise, and I fear has brought down our home values.

Numerous residents sent in letters to complain and even came in person to voice their concerns. The Planning Commission ignored all the complaints and approved a use permit to again increase the size of the home to accommodate even more disabled residents. The planning board stated this meets their goal to have residential “aging in place.” The problem with their logic is when an older resident ages in place they are wanting to stay in their homes with all their memories. They do not want to be sent to an assisted living facility. The approved assisted living facility in a residential neighborhood is just another way for the Planning Commission to approve businesses in residential neighborhoods and try to call it a benefit to “aging in place.”

Why the approval when so many residents voiced their concern? Don’t waste your time attending a Planning Commission meeting expecting them to care about your concerns. They have one goal and one goal only: to help businesses succeed. I just wonder if the assisted living facility went up next to their home do you think they would pass the use permit? How about the planning leaders supporting allowing two homes on one lot if it were next to their home? Not a chance of passing.

Jill Powell,

Lawrence