HomeMy WebLinkAboutVillaggio - Harvey
February 20, 2018
Re: Villaggio Project
Dear Commissioners/Advisory Bodies,
I attended the planning commission public meeting on January 24th and was impressed with the knowledge
and expertise of the commissioners.
I was particularly impressed with your understanding of the need for safety and realistic evacuation
planning. As a potential resident at Villaggio, I thank you for this.
I was, however, very alarmed at the statement by commissioner Hermalata Dandekar that she was all in
favor of a Life Plan Community but that this particular location may not be the right one. Selfishly, if
Villaggio is not built on this property, I doubt I will be alive to live in a Life Plan Community in San Luis
Obispo. It is my understanding that the nidus of this project began in 2010 and that there was a long search
for an appropriate property. I know you will have much input in this project but hope you will be able to
steer it into fruition as quickly as possible.
I also recognize that some commissioners are quite put off by the thought of a gated community in SLO. I
have to admit that, at first blush, I too was concerned about this as it ranks of exclusivity. However, I am
now convinced that a gated community is essential. Right now the potential residents of Villaggio are
“young”, vibrant, bright, active and independent. Please think of the people we will be in 5, 10, 15 or 20
years. We will be older and likely fragile, dependent and vulnerable.
I have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a professional con artist whose specialty was locating
vulnerable elderly with assets, befriending them and taking advantage. She befriended my 98 years old
friend in a nursing home and used that contact to wonder into other patients’ rooms to take advantage of
them. According to the nursing home director, “Mary” had 13 “marks” in their facilities in San Francisco
and there was “nothing (he) can do about it”!!! A gated community might offer some protection from these
professionals.
I hope you will ask the Villaggio planners for the demographics of the folks who have signed up as
potential residents. I think you will find we are not the “1%”. Many of us were well off enough to
purchase a home 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago. Over the decades that home increased in value and selling the
home allows us the means to move into a Life Plan Community. It is my understanding that some 30% of
potential residents are retired teachers.
My wife and I do not have long term care insurance. We are thrilled to find Villaggio which will not only
provide us with a residence but our fees will act as long term care insurance we hope we will never need. If
you have not had the experience of hiring someone to care for an aging parent, please be aware that 24 hour
care, even at minimum wage of $10.50/hour is $7,560/month or $90,720/year. An agency is likely close to,
or more than, double that figure and this does not necessarily include cooking, cleaning or other household
needs. Grocery shopping, meal planning are not included. Once our money runs out, we would have to
beg the support of the tax payer. Securing a place at Villaggio will ensure that we are taken care of for life
and not be a burden on our community.
Another comment made at the planning commission meeting about Villaggio is that we will have our own
restaurants, taking support away from local businesses. Please remember that these on-site eating areas
will constitute our dining “at home”. Life Plan Communities do not offer every meal as part of the plan. We
may do some cooking in our units but we will likely eat often at local restaurants as long as we are able to
get out and about.
Finally, one commissioner mentioned that we would shop on the Villaggio grounds taking away from local
businesses. I am not sure what kind of shopping will be available but assume it will be similar to other Life
Plan Communities where there are some basic staples available for sale for people who are home bound.
Again I want to thank you for your service to our community and hope that you are able to help move
things forward with this project.
Sincerely yours,
Carolyn Harvey