Warrenton aldermen said they would like to see changes to the site plan of a senior housing development on Fairgrounds Road before approving the proposal.Some of the concerns expressed at last Tuesday’s meeting focused on the lack of landscaping features along a walking trail, such as trees to provide shade for residents, and a 6-foot-tall vinyl fence that will serve as a buffer between the complex and city streets. Aldermen also felt that more handicapped parking places were needed. All four aldermen in attendance at the March 15March 15 meeting agreed to postpone any decision on the site plan. Even if it had gone to a vote, the board likely didn’t have the required four votes to approve the development since Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch was absent and a sixth seat on the board remains vacant.No action was taken on a related conditional use permit for the development.“I would like for you to look at options, I’m not in mood to approve this based on some of these concerns tonight,” Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly said. “If there was some additional options to make this a much more pleasant view, I think that would be better.The 40-unit complex, known as Fairgrounds Villas, would be constructed on the corner of Fairgrounds Road and Fairlane Circle, across the street from the Warren County Fairgrounds. The property was formerly the American Legion baseball field.The project is being proposed by NECAC, Allied Construction, Inc., and Marti Family Trust LLC.Under the plan, six six-plex and one four-plex building units would be constructed along with a 1,200-square-foot community/office building.The single-story apartments would have 1,031 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each apartment would have a kitchen, laundry room, front porch and back patio.The board’s decision was somewhat unexpected. The city’s planing and zoning commission had unanimously recommended approval of the development at its March 3 meeting.During the discussion last week, Brandon Kurtz, an engineer representing Lewis-Bade, Inc., noted that nearby property owners at a previous meeting had preferred the fence to be the buffer between properties. Other options that could be considered are trees or bushes. The number of handicapped parking spaces also met the city’s requirement.“We want to do this right for everybody,” Casserly commented. “We all agree senior housing is very important to our community. Something this large and this many units we need to do it right for the entire city."Last year, NECAC was awarded $7.5 million in financing from the Missouri Housing Development Commission for the project. The apartments will be available for income-qualifying people ages 62 and older. Rent is projected at around $450 a month. Once approval is granted, construction is expected to begin this year and take about a year to complete.As part of a condition placed on the conditional use permit by the planning and zoning commission, the development would have to remain a senior housing complex for 30 years and the property could not be sold.City of Warrenton