Fenton Neighbors Not Happy about $10 Million MediLodge Proposal

A wouldn’t make a good neighbor according to a few Fenton residents.

In August, MediLodge submitted a proposal to Fenton officials for a "next generation" $10 million-plus senior citizens' skilled nursing and rehabilitative services facility, in a vacant area of a Fenton subdivision. The proposed development would be on 30 acres of the Pine Creek North Planned Unit Development, on the townhouse portion of the site closest to the Eddy Lake Road entrance.

However, those that live in the area said they are just hearing about the proposal and aren’t happy about it.

“Our main concern is the increased traffic in the neighborhood,” said Rachel Oberle. “Medilodge looks like a perfectly fine facility, but it shouldn’t be in a residential area.”

Oberle said there are five homes in the area along with 12 condos. She said most homes have small children, many of which walk to Tomek-Eastern Elementary School. Andrea Brewster lives in one of those homes and said she the traffic would be a concern for her children.

“Ambulances will be coming and going. There will be construction traffic and noise,” Brewster said. “People come from all over to walk their dogs or ride a bike. It’s supposed to be a residential neighborhood.”

Initial planning for the 90-acre Pine Creek North took place in the late 1990s before the development of the site stalled. Some single family and attached residential units were completed, while others weren’t.

The Medilodge proposal requires planning commission and city council approval. Brewster and Oberle plan to voice their opinions at the city council meeting on Monday.

“We just found out Sunday. No one contacted us or told us about it,” Brewster said. “It’s right across from my house. I just don’t think it’s a great idea.”

Oberle is also concerned about the property value of her home. She said many neighbors have said if the facility is built, they will sell or rent their homes.

“I don’t understand how it’s not considered a medical facility. I don’t understand how it falls under the zoning,” Oberle said. “I don’t think it should be allowed back there. It was intended to be a residential area.”

In August, Councilman Les Bland said he believes it would be a super use of the land, which has been sitting there without being developed for the last seven years.