Editorial: Seniors need a place to live, too

Monday, Aug. 10, 1998 | 10:14 a.m.

It used to be that people wanted to live near schools, parks and churches.

But in recent years a phenomenon has developed in the Las Vegas Valley: A growing number of residents oppose these types of projects near their neighborhoods, even though they've traditionally been considered coveted amenities. The complaint heard often from residents is that the addition either will create too much traffic or simply is incompatible with the neighborhood.

This latest trend is extending to the opposition of assisted living communities in residential areas. Last week the Clark County Commission rejected a planned 85-room assisted living facility in the Sunrise Manor subdivision after listening to neighbors complain that it was incompatible.

On the one hand, it is easy to sympathize with the concerns of those who live in the area, which has homes on lots ranging from a half-acre to five acres. After all, when they bought their homes in a ranch-estates neighborhood most probably didn't contemplate they would be living next to an assisted living center.

But this begs the question. If seniors who need assisted living aren't allowed to live in centers in residential areas -- allowing them to maintain their independence -- where are they supposed to go? Commercial districts certainly don't seem to be compatible. Assisted living centers deserve to be in residential areas.

Too often in this valley there has been a rush to build exclusive neighborhoods or gated communities, which essentially creates a fortress-like atmosphere and mentality. This in turn leads to people many times resisting any type of development, even if it helps the community.

As the Sun's Adrienne Packer reported Thursday, there is no ordinance in place that specifically designates where assisted living facilities should go. As soon as possible the County Commission should put in place -- by ordinance, if necessary -- a policy that encourages the development of assisted living centers in residential areas. If we want to build stronger communities, we need to make sure that the seniors in the valley are treated with respect.