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Evergreen Woods In 1988 SCD created a special purpose entity called Shoreline Life Care, LLC in order to develop Evergreen Woods, the first CCRC for our own portfolio. The community, set on 88 acres in North Branford, Conn., opened its doors four years later. The preparatory steps required to open a community that sold out before construction was completed were as complex then as now. SCD held monthly meetings with an "advisory" board made up of interested local seniors. At the same time, our staff worked closely with the Town of North Branford to write regulations that allowed us to bring an application for development to the Town Planning and Zoning Board. A specific site plan application soon followed. By the time we opened a marketing office, it was clear that many area residents were extremely interested in a CCRC that served the full continuum of care—from independent housing to skilled nursing—all on one campus. The promise of built-in amenities such as an indoor pool, tennis courts, resident libraries, card/billiards room, and 24-hour security added to the appeal. Construction began in late 1990 after a relatively short town approval period. The land seller, a local family that had held title to the land since the 1950’s, was happy to be getting top dollar for its property. (Today, that same family continues to invest in SCD-sponsored projects—a testament to the good will the original transaction generated.) Both water and sewer were brought to the site from neighboring towns thru a tri-party agreement. Financing was provided by two local banks, one of which was later bought by First Union and then Wachovia. When Evergreen Woods opened it was the largest private development in North Branford and the town’s largest private taxpayer. Traditionally, CCRCs have enjoyed a warm reception from towns seeking to bring in additional tax dollars without increasing the burden on the local school system and other town services. Evergreen Woods has proven to be a good fiscal neighbor. And, with residents that would rather serve as volunteers than hold loud late-night parties, they are good neighbors in many other ways. |