The Warrenton Board of Aldermen gave the go-ahead this month for a developer to build a community of senior housing units north of the Warren County Fairgrounds.The Orange Blossom Estates housing development will include 170 living units for seniors to rent, said surveying engineer Cameron Lueken. He added that the subdivision also will include a significant amount of shared green space.The land for the subdivision is adjacent to the northern edge of the fairgrounds and runs behind several other properties along North Highway 47. It is planned to eventually contain more than 30 buildings, with four to six single-floor living units in each building, according to a site plan submitted to the city.To allow the housing development, aldermen voted Nov. 20 to change how that plot of land is classified in the city’s zoning code. The land previously had been zoned for agricultural use, but was unanimously rezoned to “high-density residential.”The senior community will be governed by a deed restriction limiting renters to be ages 55 and up. Developer Ed Schmelz, of Union, said the entire community will be designed for seniors' quality of life.“When (residents) move into these places, we don’t want them to have to go over one step,” Schmelz said. “The whole goal is to have easy access for everyone.”Nearby landowners expressed concern about the development during a public board of aldermen meeting Nov. 20, including whether high-density housing aimed at seniors is the right kind of growth for Warrenton, rather than encouraging more single-family homes.“This developer is responding to a need for senior housing,” replied Ward 1 Alderman Greg Costello. “We’ve got waiting lists (for housing). As far as it being rental housing, for the seniors I know, less is more. They don’t want to own a house.”In approving the subdivision development, the city is requiring short- and long-term provisions to provide easy access for emergency vehicles, and that the developer leave space for a connecting road to the northwest for more potential development in the future.Schmelz has built senior housing units in developments at two locations in Union. Most recently he was approved to build 53 units for lease only.

The city of Warrenton has approved a subdivision plan for 170 rental housing units off of Highway 47 dedicated to seniors.

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