The potential construction of a new assisted living facility in Salem is another step closer to reality.

With the necessary re-zoning of the prospective location of the facility, at a property at 1948 N. Ellsworth Ave., from C2 general commercial to RA multiple family approved by the city council with the emergency clause, thereby side-stepping the usual 30-day waiting period before an ordinance can take effect, in its meeting Tuesday, Salem is one step closer to being the site of Shepherd of the Valley’s newest retirement community.

The proposed facility was first discussed at length in the Dec. 4 Planning Commission meeting, which saw the Shepherd of the Valley executives present and discuss both a tentative design plan for, and answer questions about the facility from both commissioners and nearby property owners. At that meeting Shepherds of the Valley Chief Executive Officer Rich Limongi estimated the community would have a residency of up 120 people and an anticipated permanent workforce of roughly 50 to 75 people. Limongi said that in addition to the permanent positions the facility would bring to Salem, the construction would be entirely conducted by Salem contractors.

At that meeting, while Limongi stressed that nothing was finalized as the company was still in its “due diligence phase,” he explained that the community would likely be broken up into three categories — independent condo villas, one story assisted living units and a two- to three-story independent apartment building. Limongi said that while typically an assisted living community would use a two- to three-story assisted living building, Shepherds is planning to use smaller buildings which would better match the surrounding residences.

“We wanted to build with a small house effect to make it look more like a home that would fit in better with the community here,” said Limongi.

Limongi also said that the campus would likely feature an activity center “to promote a healthy, active living style for all of our residents,” which could include a pool or pickleball and bocci courts. Shepherds was also considering hosting a small retail space at the campus for the convenience of residents.

When questioned about the potential age ranges and levels of required assistance for residents, Limongi explained that residents within the independent living apartments and villas would be entirely autonomous and “would have their own cars and come and go as they please,” while residents within the assisted living buildings required additional assistance with “the activities of daily living,” such as getting in and out of bed, or medication or meal services.

When questions regarding buffer elements between the campus and adjacent properties were raised by commissioners and property owners, Limongi said that there was a tree line between the campus and the existing properties, and that they typically install fencing around the housing units at their facilities for the privacy of residents and any neighboring properties.

Limongi also assured that Shepherds would remain in communication with city residents and officials throughout the design and building process which would likely be done in phases, noting that they wanted to continue having open meetings as part of this communication.

“We want to do this right, and we want to continue having these town halls meetings and be an open book throughout this process,” said Limongi.

Limongi urged anyone with concerns, or questions about the quality of a potential facility and what it might look like to visit any of Shepherd’s existing facilities.

“I urge you to do yourself a favor and drive by any of our campuses, they are always kept up. We are a five-star facility in every one of our buildings. That’s a rating that you get from Medicare and Medicaid services, they rank you over five different areas, they look at your staffing, your health inspections, your direct care staffing, your overall staffing, your quality measures which means the quality of the care you render, every one of our buildings is a five star in quality measures and a five star overall rating,” said Limongi.

At a Dec. 11 planning commission meeting, Commission member Robert Merry cited concerns brought to him by residents that the implementation of the facility, and the water usage that would come with it may affect water availability and pressure for existing properties in the area.

“So you’ve got 120 residents, you’ve got 240 toilets, and 120 kitchens and more than two people sometimes in each residence, and that’s what I mean you can have a lot of volume being used in the morning or at night, and one person asked if they were in the shower am I suddenly not going to have any water,” said Merry.

Limongi said that while he could not provide specific data, Shepherds had been in contact with the utilities department and confirmed that the existing water infrastructure in the area would be sufficient for their needs. Sustainable Opportunity Development Center Executive Director Julie Needs echoed Limongi’s sentiments, explaining that SOD tracks the city’s utilities capacity in preparation to help bring manufacturing and housing developments to the city, and the current supply in the area significantly outstrips demand.

“We look at the utilities capacity for bringing in manufacturing and even other housing development, we have plenty of capacity to expand well beyond an additional 120 units, and that is something (the) utilities superintendent could certainly answer as to what our capacity is. We have millions of gallons of capacity that are unused at this point in time,” said Needs.

Needs also explained that Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley would be able to provide more specific information to those with concerns about potential impacts on water pressure or availability.

Despite attendance and questions from several nearby property owners at the Dec. 4 meeting, and Merry’s questions at the Dec. 11 planning commission meeting to further discuss the property, neither the Dec. 11 meeting nor a public hearing prior to Tuesday’s council meeting in which the zoning change was finalized saw any public comment regarding the matter.

Currently Shepherds of the Valley has four existing retirement communities in Howland Township, Liberty Township, Boardman and Poland, and a corporate office located in Youngstown. In addition to their residential facilities, Shepherds also offers home care services. Limongi estimated that overall, Shepherds served roughly 600 residents and 500 permanent employees throughout the Mahoning Valley.