“There are still some outstanding issues,” said Ron Starr, president of development at Deanlee Management. “We’re working on some different approaches.”

The developer made some changes to their original plans last summer after talking to city planning staff and reviewing comments from local groups such as the Niagara Escarpment Commission.

The different approaches now being considered include turning part of the proposed condominium development into living quarters for seniors, either a nursing home or retirement community.

“We’re exploring that,” said Mr. Starr. “We’re reworking the current plan.”

Deanlee is proposing to build six to eight buildings on the 9.6 hectares (24 acres) of land along Sanatorium Road, north of Scenic Drive, with a total area of as much as 83,000 square metres.

The developer had been looking at an eight-to 10-storey building and a couple of six-to eight-storey buildings near the middle of the site. Mr. Starr said that’s still the plan, but exactly how that space will be divided up is still to be determined. Given the size of the development, Mr. Starr maintained the number of units could be in the 600 range or more. About a dozen items in the development plan are being reviewed, Mr. Starr said.

They include building placement, storm water management, setbacks and getting an arborist’s report.

Mr. Starr said an arborist has been on site three times in the past few weeks and will make note of the number and location of all the trees on the property and whether any trees in poor health can be rejuvenated or should be cut down. The arborist’s report is expected before Christmas.

In addition, Mr. Starr said Deanlee is looking at maintaining all or part of the former continuing care building along with the Moreland Residence and East Pavillion buildings. The Long and Bisby building, currently home to a daycare operation, is considered a building of architectural and historical interest and will be preserved. Deanlee’s plans are slated to go before a special meeting of the city’s planning and economic development committee later this month.