Thistle House Senior Living Ready to Grow in Chardon
Chardon Planning and Zoning Commission approved two variances Jan. 17 — a conditional-use permit and a concept site plan — paving the way for the conversion of the Chardon Motel to Thistle House Senior Living.
Chardon Planning and Zoning Commission approved two variances Jan. 17 — a conditional-use permit and a concept site plan — paving the way for the conversion of the Chardon Motel to Thistle House Senior Living.
But there is a lot of work to be done before the rundown structure at 526 Water Street can become a home for up to 24 residents over the age of 55 who want to continue living independently in Chardon, according to Phil Smith.
Smith is CEO of FirstLight Home Care on Chardon Square, which will be providing any supplemental care the residents need, but has no equity in the property.
Maple Grove Residential LLC owns the property, he added.
Smith said last fall the complex is named Thistle House because Chardon means thistle in French.
Plans show 16 studio-type apartments with bathrooms and kitchenettes, some of which will be large enough to accommodate two residents. Two or three suites will include separate bedrooms, Smith said.
A second floor will be added for offices and a community room at the back of the complex on the first floor will include a communal laundry, recreation room and dining area, said Steve Yaney, city planning and zoning administrator.
The project does not have to go through city council and construction plans will be the next step, he said.
“The exterior will be completely refinished,” Yaney said, adding the motel was built in the 1950s and an addition put on in the 1960s.
“The only concern the commission had was the tree in front,” he said. “It’s partly dead and they were talking about whether it should be removed. They’d like to save it — it’s 60 years old and some kind of maple. Phil said if it is a liability, he will have it removed and replaced.”
Smith will work with the city forester on that part of the project, he said.
With plans to open in November 2017, work has already begun.
“We’re currently cleaning it out,” Smith said. “If all goes well, we will accept our first residents in November or December.”
Once renovation begins, he expects interest in reserving apartments will ramp up.
“We’ve got a lot of interest, but no list yet. As Thistle House takes shape, I think it will get pretty popular, pretty quick,” Smith said.
The motel on nearly an acre was owned by SSP Hospitality since 2001, when it was bought for $300,000, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office website. Value of the property is listed as $261,000.
Yaney said the hotel ceased to operate in May 2016, but had a series of maintenance violations over the years, such as peeling paint and uncut grass, which were remedied by the owner.
The auditor’s website shows the sale to Maple Grove Residential LLC occurred Jan. 10, 2017, for $425,000.
Smith has said the structure will be gutted and the interior will be completely renovated to be a specialized, boutique, independent senior living facility.
“We’ve got the green light. We’re moving along,” he said last Wednesday.
