
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1991                   TAG: 9102060476
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOUSING FOR ELDERLY TO BE BUILT IN SPRING

Construction is expected to begin this spring on a $25 million residential complex for elderly people on Brandon Avenue in Southwest Roanoke that initially was approved four years ago.

The Brandon Oaks complex will be built by the Virginia Lutheran Homes on 18 acres at 3804 Brandon Ave. It will be next to an existing nursing home that will be part of the overall development.

The project will include 154 apartments, 18 cottages, a 23-bed personal care center, a community center, administrative offices and other facilities.

The city's Board of Zoning Appeals voted Tuesday to approve a revision in the concept plan for the project that was first approved in 1987.

Ed Natt, an attorney for Virginia Lutheran Homes, said the complex will have the same number of housing units as originally planned, but changes in the plan required city approval.

The city Planning Commission voted earlier to approve the changes, and City Council will consider them next week.

Despite opposition from some nearby property owners, council rezoned the site four years ago to permit the complex for elderly people. On two occasions in the late 1970s, the Planning Commission recommended denial of rezoning to permit apartments for elderly people on the site because of strong protests from nearby residents.

Natt said the revised plan provides better screening and buffering of the complex from nearby residents.

Sam Lionberger Jr., chairman of the board for Brandon Oaks, said construction will take two years.

by CNB