20 units sought by care facility

NASHUA – Nashua Crossings is looking to add 20 units to its 64-unit assisted living home to accommodate Alzheimer’s patients. On Thursday, Benchmark Assisted Living will present a proposal to the city Planning Board that would add 14,496 square feet to its nursing home facility with associated site improvements. In 1998, the Planning Board gave Nashua Crossings approval to build a 42,432-square-foot assisted living facility at 670 and 674 W. Hollis St. The one-story Alzheimer’s wing to be proposed Thursday would demolish part of the existing nursing care residence and add 20 units for Alzheimer’s patients, plus a new section of sidewalk on West Hollis Street, utility services, landscaping, lighting and drainage improvements. “It’s a decent-sized addition, but I don’t think it’s out of the ordinary,” said Matt Taylor, deputy planning manager for the city. Nashua Crossings needs a conditional use permit because it is built in a residential zone district of the city. The plan includes a waiver for the 84 parking spaces that the city requires; 40 parking spaces are proposed and four additional spaces would be built in the expansion. The city traffic engineer found no issues with Benchmark’s proposal, Taylor said, and Nashua Crossings has agreed to add more parking in the future if necessary. The plans also include a privacy fence on the east side of Nashua Crossings. According to its website, Nashua Crossings’ 24-hour staff offers residents help with daily tasks, restaurant-style dining with three meals a day, weekly apartment cleaning and linen services, transportation service, and medication and continence management. Benchmark Senior Living operates four assisted living communities in New Hampshire plus others around New England. Including Nashua Crossings, it runs Bedford Halls, The Birches at Concord and Greystone Farm at Salem. Maryalice Gill can be reached at 594-6490 or mgill@nashua telegraph.com. Also, follow Gill on Twitter (@Telegraph_MAG).