BRIDGEWATER - Shannex is scaling back some of the buildings planned for its campus-style development bound for the Glen Allan Drive area of town.

 The total number of available units is unchanged at 191, but town council this week will consider authorizing a replacement site plan.

 Gone will be the multiple townhouse buildings, which had a combined total of 28 units. Also the proposed two-storey assisted-living and long-term-care facility is scaled back to one storey to accommodate a 65-bed long-term-care building.

 Meanwhile, more units have been added to the three-storey lifestyle-living building, bringing that facility to 64 units from 38, and a three-storey retirement-living building has been added to the mix, totalling 62 units.

 The lifestyle and assisted-living buildings are larger because of the elimination of the townhouses, said Bridgewater development officer Nick Brown.

 Shannex's retirement-living campus, called Parkland at LaHave, will be built on a 15-acre site off Hollingsworth Drive, near South Shore Regional Hospital.

 Nova Scotia contracted Shannex to build and operate 65 long-term-care beds in the Bridgewater area. The Halifax-based company was successful after a request for proposals process.

 The long-term-care building is slated to open next year with the rest of the retirement campus opening in 2010.

 The development agreement between Shannex and the town was authorized last July.

 Part of the amendment under consideration is the installation of a six-foot fence along the property line on the Hollingsworth Drive side where some "overcutting" had taken place before Shannex acquired the land, Mr. Brown told a briefing session of council last week.

 Site plan changes aren't expected to impact residents in the area, Mayor Carroll Publicover said, adding that he's confident Shannex has taken measures to ensure the campus development will blend in with the neighbourhood.

 "That company has a great reputation of building quality facilities in very quiet, tranquil, serene surroundings," he told this newspaper. "I have no doubt in my mind that it's going to fit in very nicely where it's being proposed."

 Construction can't start without council first passing the amendment.

posted on 09/09/08