October 11, 2024 |
Photo – Saratoga Care Center – Courtesy Google Maps
The governing body of Saratoga has voted to turn the town’s former nursing home into employee housing for Brush Creek.
When the North Platte Valley Medical Center opened in May of last year, residents of the Saratoga Care Center were moved from the nursing home, located on Holly Avenue, into the brand-new long term care facility.
During the October 1st Saratoga town council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner said representatives from Brush Creek have expressed interest in purchasing the former care center. However, a 51-year-old legal agreement states that the building can only be used as a nursing home. Penner said the town should remove that restriction.
Penner explained that Brusk Creek would like to use the former nursing home for employee housing. The public works director said attorneys for the ranch showed that rental properties are legally permitted in the area, which is zoned for commercial use. Penner said Saratoga Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip agrees.
Penner presented a zoning verification letter to be sent to Brush Creek’s attorneys. The public works director explained that the letter assures the ranch that the property can be used for employee housing only.
Penner said by signing the letter, the council is doing two things. First, the letter removes the covenant that requires the Holly Avenue property to be a nursing home. Second, Penner explained that the letter also states that Brush Creek can rent the building to employees.
Town Attorney Waldrip said in her opinion, the title company misinterpreted the covenant. The deed specifies that the building must be used as a nursing home within one year after the covenant went into effect. Attorney Waldrip said the requirement was met and Brush Creek should be free to use the property for other purposes.
Penner explained that by signing the zoning verification letter, the town council is assuring the mortgage company that Brush Creek is legally permitted to house employees in the former nursing home.
The Saratoga town council voted to release the restrictive covenant on the Holly Avenue property and to sign the zoning verification letter.
