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Waveny LifeCare Network or “WLN,” the nonprofit organization that operates a short- and long-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility and memory assisted living residence on Farm Road, an independent living facility on Oenoke Ridge and an adult day program, among other services, last week unveiled plans for a new 150-unit senior living community on town-owned within at Waveny through a long-term land lease agreement. (WLN’s Farm Road campus is also currently leased from the town.)
Presented July 15 to the Town Council as the beginning of what WLN leaders described as a public conversation—not a request for approval regarding the development—plans call for use of approximately 20 acres of the 50-acre “Parcel E,” known by many residents as the “mulch pile” area west of Lapham Road.
Those presenting the proposal included WLN President and CEO Russ Barksdale Jr. and Board of Directors members Rich Townsend and Mark DeWaele. (Town Council member Penny Young recused herself from the discussion because she also serves on the WLN board.)
The location offers the best opportunity to address what they described as a longstanding shortage of senior housing while minimizing impacts to the park, they said.
“We’re here tonight because New Canaan faces a longstanding senior living need,” Barksdale said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “Longtime residents who helped build this community through their work, volunteerism, philanthropy, mentorship and commitment to the life of our town often have too few options to remain here as their housing and care needs change.”
He acknowledged the proposal raises legitimate concerns about land use, traffic, conservation, stormwater management and public access.
“These questions matter,” Barksdale said. They should be studied, fully vetted publicly and “discussed carefully” as well as “respectfully,” he added.
According to the presentation, the proposed life plan community would include approximately 150 one- and two-bedroom residences. The building would occupy about 20 acres of Parcel E, while the land around it would remain wooded. Plans also call for underground parking, expanded walking trails, landscaped gathering areas and mature plantings designed to preserve the site’s natural character.
Barksdale said the project would require no financial contribution from the town.
Funding would instead come through tax-exempt bonds, subordinate debt, and WLN equity contributions, he said.
The proposal comes months after the town’s Affordable Housing Committee ruled out the mulch pile site as a location for affordable housing because of deed restrictions and other considerations.
During public comment, New Canaan Housing Authority Chairman Scott Hobbs voiced support for giving the proposal a full public review.
“New Canaan has serious housing challenges, and none of them are simple,” Hobbs said. “The housing issues don’t get easier when we avoid them. They get harder.”
Hobbs stressed that affordable housing and senior living should not be viewed as the same issue.
“Affordable housing and senior living are not the same issue,” he said. “They involve different needs, different populations, different rules and different policy questions, but they are connected by a larger reality. New Canaan needs to plan seriously for the people who live here, including older residents whose housing, support and care needs change over time.”
Hobbs also said the town has watched longtime residents leave because they could no longer find appropriate housing locally.
“We’ve all seen longtime residents leave because the right combination of housing, support and care was not available here,” he said. “These are people who have contributed to New Canaan for decades as volunteers, neighbors, donors, business owners, civic leaders and friends. When they leave, the town loses more than population. It loses continuity.”
State Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125th), a New Canaan resident, also spoke in favor of the proposal, urging Town Council members to keep an open mind.
“The state has seen a lot of closures of elder care facilities,” O’Dea said. “It’s in dire need of more.”
He called Waveny LifeCare Network “an amazing contributor to our community” and said Connecticut’s growing elderly population makes additional senior housing increasingly important.
“This is something that the community desperately needs not only as a local community but also statewide,” O’Dea said.
Townsend said New Canaan has studied senior housing for more than two decades, yet many residents continue to leave town as they age.
“Today, more than 16% of New Canaan residents are seniors,” Townsend said. “Many want to remain close to their friends, families, houses of worship, physicians and the community they helped build.”
He noted that New Canaan currently has only about 80 age-restricted senior housing units.
Barksdale said the organization has committed to ensuring the proposal does not reduce New Canaan’s affordable housing percentage.
“We have gone on the record formally and we will not add or decrease the affordability ratio that the town currently has,” he said.
Asked why WLN selected the mulch pile location, Barksdale said dozens of sites have been evaluated over the years.
“We’ve looked at probably 12 since my tenure,” he said. “By putting it back into that corner … we could hide it and nestle it back in there without being obstructive.”
Barksdale also shared his own past role on Town Council and the public comments when the Steve Benko Pool was first proposed.
Council members emphasized that Wednesday’s presentation was intended only to introduce the concept.
Council Chair Mike Mauro said the town was not being asked to vote on anything and described the proposal as “an incredibly worthy proposal for serious evaluation and consideration.”
“I think it’s a core question for the town,” Mauro said. “What if I get to a point where there’s no viable option for me to stay in this town and I basically have to leave? That’s a really serious discussion.”
WLN officials said they plan to hold public information sessions in the coming weeks and meet with residents, elected officials and community organizations before submitting any formal application.
The proposal is similar to a concept WLN has pursued before. In 2019, the organization proposed a 70-plus-unit senior living development on Oenoke Ridge abutting St. Mark’s Episcopal Church property. That proposal drew significant public opposition for that site and was ultimately withdrawn as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Connecticut.
And the price for a one-bedroom unit? Price for a two-bedroom unit?
What about monthly maintenance fees and eligibility requirements for New Canaan and non-residents?
This could be a wonderful and much needed addition to our community! Thank you WLN for introducing your concept and initial plans to the town.
While reading about Waveny LifeCare Network’s ambitious expansion proposals and multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, I felt compelled to share an experience that stands in stark contrast to these grand corporate plans.
A few years ago, a close family member was moved to Waveny’s severe Alzheimer’s unit without our family’s approval. Because access to that specific wing is restricted to families of residents placed there, few in the community ever get to see this “dark side” of Waveny as opposed to the image of “the lovely village.” What I witnessed during that time left a impression that has never left me. The wing was overcrowded, and residents were routinely left “parked” in wheelchairs in common areas and hallways, lacking direct engagement, meaningful activity, or adequate supervision. It was a disheartening, undignified scene that reflected severe staffing gaps and operational neglect.
Before Waveny leadership focuses on expanding its physical footprint and launching promotional campaigns, their primary obligation must be to the vulnerable individuals currently under their care. Facilities cannot claim five-star standards while allowing high-acuity memory care patients to be treated as an afterthought.
Growth should never outpace the ability to provide dignified, attentive, and high-quality bedside care. Town leadership and community members evaluating Waveny’s proposals must insist that Waveny address resident staffing, active programming, and quality of life in its existing memory wings before any future expansions move forward.
Richard,
Thank you for sharing something that painful in a public space. Watching a family member move through the later stages of Alzheimer’s is among the hardest experiences a family goes through, and reading your account, I can hear the impression that time left on you.
I’ve served on Waveny’s board for a number of years. What you describe is not what any of us on the board, or the leadership team, or the caregivers I know, want for a Waveny family. If your family’s experience fell short, that matters, and I would genuinely like to hear more directly. I’m happy to connect you with Russ Barksdale, our CEO, or to talk with you myself. You can reach me through the newspaper, or through Waveny’s front desk at 203.594.5200 and they’ll get a message to me.
High-acuity memory care is among the most demanding work in all of senior living, physically, emotionally, and clinically. It requires staffing ratios well above the norm and specialized training that takes years to build. Waveny’s Navigator program, launched two years ago, extends memory-care expertise directly into New Canaan homes, including day services, respite care, and family education, and it now supports over 100 local families. That doesn’t answer your specific concerns, and it’s not meant to. It’s meant to say that memory care is where Waveny is investing, not where it’s turning its attention away from.
On the proposed senior living community: for what it’s worth, it isn’t a substitute for the care work, it’s part of how a non-profit like Waveny sustains the care work for the long term. But that conversation belongs in its own forum. Yours belongs in a direct one with people who can hear you fully.
I hope you’ll take me up on it.
Best, Leo
Leo, thank you for your thoughtful follow-up and for taking the time to respond so constructively.
I am truly happy to hear that Waveny is committed to providing a better, more dignified experience for its patients and their families.
Thank you for all that you do for the New Canaan community.
Richard you are not alone in your description. I have two friends whose
husbands stayed at Waveny Care. One recovering from a major operation, and the other from Parkinson’s and dementia. Both were upset about the lack of care at Waveny. Inattention to the basics of care. Both brought
their own food for their husbands because the food was barely edible. Both patients had to hire a personal aide for better care. One woman was
asked to come into the office every few weeks and told her husband needed more care, and thus more money was asked for. The extra help never arrived. She finally took him out to another facility in another state, which was considerably cheaper and never asked for more money.The help were attentive . They were kind, competent
and dedicated. The other friend had her husband released and got a private aide at home. All were much happier.
I also have friends that were well
on their way to heaven’s door. Both were removed by family members for better care elsewhere. Waveny Care needs to concentrate on having better experiences for its patients. Safer experiences and a better quality of help. Both friends, very well off, were shocked how expensive Waveny was considering the lack of care given. Before expansion, fix these problems that exist right now. It’s was upsetting to hear what they went through. And I bet when the expansion is finally realized it will be unaffordable for most. I’m already thinking of where I will end up when my time is up.
According to Waveny Life Network’s website
Source Document: http://www.waveny.org/ccrc-faq/
“Preliminary estimates suggest that Waveny’s pricing would be lower than comparable senior living communities in the surrounding areas, including both entrance fees and monthly fees. Affordability is extremely important to the design.
Current preliminary estimates for entrance fees range from approximately $1.1 million for a one-bedroom residence up to $2.5 million for larger two-bedroom residences.
These figures are preliminary and subject to change as planning, financing, design, and operating assumptions are refined.”
Betty your the best!
This is a fee to get in.
Most of us live in home’s
Valued between $900,000
and 3 million and would not
want to do the trade in.
New Canaan residents will have no first right. Staying put is about staying put.
Not spending 1 to 2.5 million
to rent. Better off getting long-term care insurance.
What a great business model
give me a million dollars for a one bedroom, charge a monthly fee and you have no equity. I wonder what the contract looks like.
As a retired commissioner on the Housing Authority I truly know the challenges of building affordable housing and I know the land that Waveny is aiming for has also been considered. YES, we do more senior housing but we also need more affordable housing. Why not consider making a percentage of the 150 units affordable for seniors. Definitely not using 8-30g to challenge the town and zoning. I fythat would be a very good idea.
Great plan. I’ve been saying for years that the location would be ideal for an affordable housing complex, but supposedly such “commercial” housing development is prohibited under the terms of the deed. Go figure.
Supporting the development of senior housing in our community is an important investment in the well-being of our residents and the future of our town. Many longtime residents who have contributed to the community for decades are forced to relocate when their housing no longer meets their needs because there are few appropriate local options. Providing accessible, age-friendly housing allows seniors to remain close to their families, friends, healthcare providers, and the community organizations they know and value. Enabling older adults to age in place strengthens community connections, supports local businesses and volunteer organizations, and preserves the social fabric of our town. By expanding senior housing opportunities, we can ensure that residents have the choice to remain in the community they have helped build throughout their lives.
A different perspective is certainly warranted in response to this reaction to Waveny LifeCare Network’s introduction to the Town Council and community of a Life Plan Community. My experience at Waveny has been quite different and I venture more reflective of care and professional attention experienced by many. As power of attorney for a family member, it has been my responsibility to assure appropriate care. Upon diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease some years ago, she realized she’d need ongoing support and decided to move to the New Canaan Inn. When her physical and cognitive capabilities progressed, she moved to the Village and, with further decrement, to the dementia wing of the Care Center. At each stage she has received outstanding professional and compassionate care, something our family is unable to provide in our home. Being a degreed gerontologist, I researched area facilities and chose Waveny, a stringently rated 5 Star facility. They have lived up to every aspect of their rating and certainly our family’s expectations. My family member’s needs as her disease has progressed, both physically and cognitively, have been more than addressed and are constantly re-evaluated, always keeping me in the decission loop. The staff is as attentive to our family members as we struggle with accepting the challenges our loved one is facing.
It is a difficult road to travel for sure and I imagine your family not being directly involved puts a different perspective on things. I invite you to join me in experiencing the countless positives offered the residents by an incredibly committed and warmly caring staff in an environment supportive of the needs of a physically and cognitively challenged resident, a fact of the life cycle.
Waveny’s proposed Life Plan Community is not an effort to expand the footprint but is designed to address a long, long time identified community need. Over the years as focus of senior interests and needs has become more identified, Waveny has responded. Waveny now offers some 27 independent service lines in the Network, each with a specialized focus. How fortunate we are to have this resource right in our own backyard. What remains unanswered is independent living units. Again, join me in learning more and get involved in community discussions. Your perspective will certainly be welcome.
Penny, I’m glad that your relative receives great care, but as a member of the WLC Board, your experience is naturally much different from that of the average family. It’s just the way the world works.
WLN is a business maybe a nonprofit but still a business.
I too had a bad experience with them but won’t get into that.
So we lease them 20 acers so they can build 150 units
at what price? And what are they paying for the lease that they have now?
and how long is it for — as you know at the end of the lease the buildings belong to us.
So while this whole thing with Weed st was going on 100+ units on 3 acres
someone had a plan to lease 20 acres to WLN to build 150 units.
Arnold if only you were a nonprofit, you probability could have built 400 units there.
These 20 acers were deemed unsuitable for affordable housing
because of deed restrictions but ok for this.
If you want to keep people in their homes give them tax relief
How about freezing their property tax once they reach a certain age
say 70 ? and have lived her for at least 25 yrs . Not give away land to someone who is going to charge them a fortune to stay in their complex.
.
Before I even read about this plan, an anonymous Instagram account called “Hands Off Waveny” requested me. This account is, from what I can tell, vehemently opposed to the idea of building senior housing on the mulch pile site. They may have rock-solid reasoning to oppose it, but I haven’t seen it yet. The initial outrage seems to have something to do with unit pricing.
I don’t yet understand the implications of this proposal OR the opposition to it, and I’m genuinely asking whoever is behind the anonymous account to be a little more upfront with their identity and their reasoning. Town could do a better job with clarity, too. For almost a decade, I’ve sensed a series of secret little monopoly games from town leadership where town property is concerned, and I’d like to see better transparency across the board where taxpayer money is concerned.
I don’t see how the project would be consistent with the land use restriction on Parcel E. The deed of the land to the town restricted the use of the land to “recreation, health, horticulture, and public park and gardens, including by way of illustration, but not of limitation, the preservation and conservation of open spaces, bird sanctuaries, arboretums, and nature and equitation trails”. The proposal is for a commercial housing development for older people — simply being older does not make housing the same as health; and building a 150 unit housing development on town park land is pretty much the antithesis of “preservation and conservation”.
Agree!
Read what is going on in Greenwich and listen to Fred Camillo’s news conference tomorrow. Eversource has informed the Town of Greenwich that it does not have the capacity to supply electricity to all the development plans.
The same would apply to New Canaan. This is the reawakening of Jen Walker’s idea that was trashed.
Another point is as this does not qualify toward our 8-30g exemption it only will ad to the over development of New Canaan, stress our infrastructure, require additional town resources, ultimately cost taxpayers, and of course enrich insider politicians in town who will get contracts and supply necessary vehicles, etc.
As Waveny serves communities outside New Canaan the 150 units would not only serve our community but many others. Once again the infrastructure burden and cost will fall only on new Canaanites.
Have we forgotten the Playhouse fiasco, Town purchase of the run down Avalon apartments, Irwin Park acquisition, Lakeview Avenue Bridge cost overrun and lawsuit, etc etc
When conceptional ideas are not thought out, properly studied for infrastructure affects, cost to the town, in conflict of the intent of the original Waveny bequest , in conflict of current zoning it is not a good idea.
Imagine sitting outside at Waveny for concerts, the fireworks, walking the trails on Lapham Road , picnicking on the fields and looking at a Park Street “The View” type structure overhanging you instead of undeveloped woods and fields.
Let’s not forget some of our elected officials conflicts of interest.
This is the third time continuing care senior housing has been proposed to be constructed on Parcel E of Waveny Park in a similar area. In connection with the 1989 request of Stephen Benko (Director, Recreation Department) in a letter to Mr. Benko and Louis Moreno (First Selectman), town counsel issued a written opinion that the deed restrictions on Parcel E prohibited the proposed hybrid use. In the words of attorney Edward Rimmer, “Health uses of the property would not encompass the life care program as proposed by Lifespan Systems, Inc. The proposed use is a hybrid neither strictly “housing” in the normal sense of the word nor strictly “acute care” or “health care” as in the case of a hospital or facility like Waveney Care Center.”
Then in 2009 Waveny LifeCare Network presented a proposal to lease a similar area to construct a continuing care retirement facility. Then Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was notified of the proposal. As stated by Mr. Blumenthal, “I share your concerns about the proper charitable use of Waveny Park…” “We are keeping a close eye on the issue. If action is taken to use Waveny Park in any way inconsistent with the charitable restrictions in the grant of the property, my office will assure that the charitable intent is honored.”
The deed restrictions on Parcel E remain an issue in this third similar (but larger) proposal, but even if they did not exist, Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 7-131n provides that “If any municipality takes any land for highway or other purposes, which land was purchased for park or other recreational or open space purposes, or for which bonds were issued for such purposes, or which had been dedicated for such purposes [like Parcel E of Waveny Park] such municipality shall provide comparable replacement land at least equal in value and per unit area size to the value and per unit area size of the land taken…” While different interpretations exist for sec. 7-131n and legislation is pending to clarify the statute, if the Town leases 20 acres of Parcel E to Waveny LifeCare Network for its proposal, what additional 20 acres of open space of similar or greater value could the Town acquire to replace the land it is leasing to a private organization and at what cost to the Town? If the lease payments do not cover the acquisition costs for the new property, New Canaan tax dollars are then subsidizing the conversion of park space that is currently used for all into private residences for a select few New Canaan and non-New Canaan residents administered by a private not-for-profit organization.
The taking of a public resource like Parcel E that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently used for horticultural uses (composting for all town residents), walking trails, open space, and a disc golf course and converting it into a private resource accessible to only a select few New Canaan and non-New Canaan residents raises many questions and the wishes of its benefactor – Mrs. Llyod, including as reflected in the four corners of the deed and the affidavit of Joseph Toppin that was presented in connection with the 2009 proposal, should be faithfully honored.
Luke: Thank you for this invaluable research and analysis! 👍
Waveny Park is not for commercial housing. Pure and simple.
This was litigated many years ago and the townspeople wisely decided not to give New Canaan parkland free to developers for a commercial housing development. If it’s not affordable housing, high income New Canaan seniors can choose from multiple developer apartments to live in. Hard no on this one.
There are many good comments here which don’t need reiterating. WCN has always been well intended and we are fortunate to have them as part of NC (despite what is at times painful reality. I’m sad to hear about these bad experiences). While I’m in favor of tax relief for Seniors as an option to retaining Seniors in our community — if we are going to invest in additional Senior housing consider developing Cross Street. Perfect location.
I agree with many of the comments opposing the proposed Waveny Care expansion.
I find the argument that large numbers of seniors would choose to remain in New Canaan if these condominiums were built on our parkland to be unconvincing. A far more meaningful discussion would focus on ways to help seniors stay in their own homes, such as capping or reducing property taxes for residents age 65 and older. Many seniors would prefer not to sell the homes they have lived in for years and move into what appears to be an expensive housing option with additional common charges and fees.
These developments often sound much more appealing in theory than they prove to be in practice. My partner recently went through this with his parents, who lived in two similarly marketed assisted living communities. The reality was quite different from the promises.
The proposed plan would primarily benefit the most affluent members of our community. It also raises legitimate questions given concerns that have been expressed publicly about care at Waveny. Most importantly, it would permanently reduce parkland that was donated to the town for public use, not for residential development.
The question we should be asking is: Why are are we not protecting our town and its public assets and supporting this?