Petro America Corp. (fka PTRZ)

[puthimaway]

More BL BS. He bought up lots of stuff with stolen money and was trying to pass a scam on a small town.
They didn't go for it.


2/11/2010 2:35:00 PM
Cornville gets update on retirement living project



Jim Winstead speaks to the crowd near a three-dimentional model of the retirement structure and a map of the property. VVN/Jon Hutchinson



By Jon Hutchinson
Staff Reporter


CORNVILLE -- It was, once again, a full-house for the Cornville Community Association presentation of a development on South Aspaas Road.

More than 100 area residents gathered for the association meeting specifically to hear the plan in public. Most clearly opposed. Some became rowdy at times and President Deanna King had to ask for order.

The Association Planning and Zoning Committee had heard the plan in early November and recommended against it. A crowd also gathered at the meeting room at the Cornville fire house, but most of the public could not fit in the small room.

The association's general meeting Wednesday included a crowd sprawled out across the gymnasium at the Oak Creek School.

Brian Langenbach bought in the land in 2005-06 and Jim Winstead is a general contractor who has built other retirement projects.

Jim Winstead's presentation sounded similar to the plan presented earlier; this time, though, some significant density issues had been removed. The plan no longer shows a 9-hole golf course on 9 acres in the floodplain of Oak Creek.

The plan also no longer includes the 50-duplex casitas that formerly were proposed for the highest ground nearest South Aspaas Road. The plan also no longer includes a proposed community park on the creek side.

One acre in the flood plain would continue to be set aside as a viticulture lab for Yavapai College.

Winstead repeated his proposal for a community with 250 apartment units in a monolithic structure that would hug the cliff face, overlooking the creek. That structure would include facilities for independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimers-type patients.

Three shifts would hire 75 employees in food service, kitchen and caregivers but not skilled nursing.

Winstead told the crowd a common area would service many of the resident's needs and would provide business opportunities for Cornville residents including a beauty shop and other business kiosks. A meeting space would also accommodate local groups by appointment.

"They move to a place like this so they don't have to drive," he said.

Only one story would rise above the ground level and be visible from South Aspaas Road. That structure would occupy a small portion of the 10-acre section that is proposed to be re-zoned as a planned area development (PAD).

The structure would have underground parking, for the estimated 40 percent of residents would continue to own vehicles. A small parking lot for 35 vehicles would accommodate visitors.

The audience was not really interested in services for the patients. They were concerned about how the "rural character" of the community would be changed by a retirement living development. They objected to an expected increase in traffic, both residential and commercial. They wanted to know how the development would change driving conditions, improve the road and provide for an intersection traffic signal.

They objected to thelight pollution they said a 250-unit development would spread, saying a dark sky provision is in place to prevent glare into the surrounding community.

They objected to the volume of well water that would be needed to support the new residents. Winstead said the development must get a permit for a well and would drill deeper than local residential wells to be away from neighbors' supplies.

Others worried that effluent from wastewater would carry pharmaceuticals from the medicated patients. Landowner Brian Langenbach said they would use technology to trap pharmaceuticals and "restructure" the water to avoid those hazards. He said they would exceed required standards.

The 16 "memory care" patients will be behind a "delayed-egress" lock-down facility, so that patients may not walk away, Winstead explained.

Ånother questioner wondered about the viability and success of Winstead's past projects and whether they are still operational. He spoke of similar, but larger operating retirement homes in communities in Sun City West, the Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale and on the West Coast. He is currently building two facilities, one in California.

One woman suggested that the county process had not been followed for required "neighborhood meetings." They were told that the meetings so far were not part of the county approval process and that more meetings would follow after an application is filed.

Judy Miller, who directed the writing of the Cornville Community Plan, explained that "these meetings are above and beyond what the county will also require. There are many legal requirements still ahead." She said it was good of the developers to come and explain their plans and "take this abuse."

One person questioned whether the builders would also come from Scottsdale and Gilbert. "No," said Winstead, they will be from "as close to the site as possible."

Brian Langenbach, who with partners owns the property, told the crowed that his parents already live in the Verde Valley and he was interested in preparing for their future.

Related Stories:
• Letter: Leave South Aspaas neighborhood as is





Reader Comments

Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Article comment by: Jessica Bryson

What a poorly written article! To echo the sentiments relayed by Debbie Wheaton and contrary to those put forth by Mr. Hutchinson, one of the PRIMARY concerns in opposition of this proposal should be in regards to the welfare of the patients who will be utilizing this facility. Mr. Hutchinson stated himself, the 75 employees include "no skilled nursing." So with a facility that is so far from a hospital or urgent care, I pose the question: how in the world is this situation beneficial for the patients? I could see this being as a huge liability for the facility! Speaking personally, I wouldn't DARE place my elderly loved ones in an elderly community so far from emergency care when the neccessity for such care is inevitable. It is a shame the supporters of this situation cannot see throug the shallow, self-serving intentions of a money-hungry developer, who really has NO concern for the welfare of the people he will be putting at risk.

Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Article comment by: debbie wheaton

My mother spent her last years in a wonderful assisted living facility locally. My daughter now works in the same facility. These facilities provide wonderful care and atmosphere for those that need it. I can certainly see why S. Aspaas looking over Oak Creek seems like a beautiful, tranquil place to constuct such a living space. I am wondering if the developer has considered that the people using his new facility will be a minimum of 15 minutes from the hospital or any urgent care facility in Cottonwood. People that utilize these facilities often have medical needs/problems that require attention often and quickly. Most of the assisted living facilities in Cottonwood are 1-5 minutes from the hospital. I remember how nice that was, knowing that my mother was mere moments away from emergency medical care on the several occasions that she needed it. I live in Cornville and she was usually already being seen by doctors by the time I would get to the hospital. Cornville is a nice thought for this facility, but is it practical for the well-being of the residents that would live there?

Posted: Monday, February 15, 2010
Article comment by: Jim Starkey

Interesting that one of the few comments supporting this inconsiderate project would operate similarly to the owner/developer who wouldn't give his residence or business information when asked by many. By not using their name but instead, they took the cowardly approach of identifying themselves as "love the old timers".??, then invited the project to "forget Cornflake, come to Cottonwood". Must be where they're from. Sound similar to another recent issue where supporters were mostly from outside the community?? Darn right, go to Cottonwood where it logistically belongs anyway and where I'm sure the zoning would accomodate it.

Posted: Monday, February 15, 2010
Article comment by: Jan Starkey

The crowd was anything but "rowdy". When an idea was expressed that they agreed with, there was a lot of clapping and cheering. It's unfortunate that the developers were aniticipating a crowd that they hoped would be rather ignorant. They experienced quite the opposite. A lot of neighbors who border this proposed development are very curious why the two fellows would not answer questions, either honestly or at all. Thedevelopers wouldn't have felt like they were being abused if they were prepared to better answer the questions they were asked. Be up front with folks. There were many people who supported this development and they never attended the Nov 4th meeting and they really didn't have a good idea what the County Planning and Zoning requirements are for this type of project!

Posted: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Article comment by: Larry and Alice Martin

Maybe Ms. Miller should have asked for an apology from the presenters for their vague and insulting answers and comments to the residents on this proposal. ( PROPOSAL, by the way, not a PROJECT). Instead, we are 'abusing" THEM? I'm sure they were prepaired for the ocassional moans and groans from the citizens (a far cry from "rowdy") with their shalllow and self-serving views. What do you think we were going to do, kiss them?

Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Article comment by: Jan Allbright, Verde River Citizens Alliance

This is an ill-conceived project.

Placing the drinking water well at a significantly deeper depth than the near by residents insures that the prior wells will be subject to the cone of depression formed by the proposed 3,0000 GPD well.

As to the plans for wastewater treatment, the proposers were completely unable to describe said system stating that it was “proprietary” and that a “news release” about the system was pending. As to the scientific validity of “structured water”, I direct you to
http://www.chem1.com/CQ/clusqk.html and you can read for yourself.

I am a downstream resident on Aspaas and have no desire for this project.


Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by: Love the Old Timers

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to gain nice facilities in the community to take care of our elderly. Forget Cornflake! Come to Cottonwood!

Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by: Brian Phillips

This could be a good thing for the community and the economy.

Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by: Elaine Anderson

I am a long time resident of Cornville...I am disappointed that such a thing would even be considered for our community...I agree with all the objections raised at the meeting and would hope that this would end any prospects of continuing this invasive and unwanted project.