• Officials tout expansion of healthcare facility, senior-living apartment complex

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Robertsdale City Council approved a pair of rezoning requests that will pave the way for expansion of the Robertsdale Rehabilitation & HealthCare Center and Belle Isle Gardens senior apartment facilities. Two parcels of property, owned by Clarence M. Ball Jr. off of U.S. Highway 90, were brought before the council for approval at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 4.

The two parcels had been previously used for agricultural purposes, said Mayor Charles Murphy, and had not likely been changed from the original R-1 designation when the city’s master plan was approved in 1978. Before that there were no zoning designations in the city.

The first property was rezoned from R-1 to B-3, which includes properties zoned for medical facilities.

Thomas Ward, director of development for The Gateway Companies construction company, who represented Ball during a public hearing held Monday, said the property would be used to expand the existing Robertsdale Rehabilitation & HealthCare Center facilities.

Plans include a hospice center, assisted care facilities and various doctors’ offices, Ward said.

“The plan to be able to provide a variety of services in one area,” Ward said.

A second parcel was rezoned from R-1 to R-3, multi-residential apartments and would be used to expand the Belle Isle Gardens senior apartment facility, Ward said.

Ward said the HealthCare Center expansion project would cost an estimated $5 million with a total project cost of $12 million to $15 million.

The plan also included a third parcel of property that has been designated as wetlands, which Ball is considering donating the property to the city, said city engineer Greg Smith.

Part of Ball HealthCare Services, which also includes The Arlington in Birmingham, Robertsdale Rehabilitation & HealthCare Center opened in 2001 and also includes a 152-room long-term care facility a secure wing for dementia patients and a specialized facility for patients with respiratory issues.

In addition to 25 semi-private rooms, the facility expanded in 2014 to include an additional 10 private rooms with a fully staffed kitchen allowing patients to receive in-room dining.

The rezoning request met with some opposition at Monday’s meeting.

“Unless Mr. Ball wants to buy me out I am totally against it,” said one resident, adding that she felt she would be “closed in” by the further expansion of the healthcare and apartment facilities.

Another resident expressed concern that the expansion could cause additional drainage and sewer problems.

Ward said he thought Ball would be willing to work with residents to solve any issues they might have, including building a fence or natural buffer between the properties.

“Mr. Ball wants to be a good neighbor,” he said.

By roll-call vote, the council voted unanimously Monday to suspend the rules and pass an ordinance approving the rezoning with all council members present.

In other business Monday, the council approved the refinancing of bond warrants for 2016 that will save the city nearly $250,000.

Randy Rushton with Frazier Lanier brought the refinancing request before the council on Monday. The savings comes through refinancing at a lower interest rate, along with reducing the bonds scheduled from 20 or 21 years down to 15-year bonds.

Since 2014, the council has approved refinancing and rescheduling of general obligation and revenue warrants with total savings of nearly $2.8 million for the city.

“That’s not chump change, that’s cold hard cash,” Murphy said at Monday’s meeting.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Approved a request for sponsorship of the Robertsdale High School Lady Bear tennis team at a cost of $500.

• Approved a proposal of services from McCarter & English law firm for power supply agreement negotiations.

• Agreed to allow city engineer Greg Smith to apply for a 2016 Tap Grant for sidewalk constriction. The $400,000 grant will require a 75 percent match, or $100,000 out of pocket expenses for the city.