A hotel in Chatham could be home to a new seniors' residence soon.
Before that happens, though, Chatham-Kent council will need to approve a zoning change at the corner of Bloomfield Rd. and Richmond St. on Monday.
A report that's going to council proposes that one of the hotels at there, potentially the Travelodge, be turned into a residence for senior citizens in Chatham-Kent while the other hotel beside it, potentially the Comfort Inn, would remain as a hotel.
The proposed dwelling is planned to have 103 units, varying in size. The building would also have several communal rooms for dining, games, conferences, and other activities.
There would also be shuttles to and from community facilities, support services, and local amenities.
The report indicates that the hotel that is changed over into a senior's residence will stay the same structurally if the motion is approved, but the interior and aesthetics will change. The other hotel on the site would be upgraded and re-branded.
Council approved the Age-Friendly Chatham-Kent Community Action Plan in 2015 to build a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful community. The motion proposal states that the proposed seniors' residence would meet these goals by adding more age-friendly and accessible units to the municipality.
According to the 2012 Municipality of Chatham-Kent Housing Study, 1/3 of the municipality's population will be over the age of 55 by 2031.