The Richmond Board of Education (RCBOE), in December of last year, elected to sell A. Brian Merry Elementary School. Now the developer is seeking to rezone the property at 415 Boy Scout Road, in order to renovate the school building into a senior living complex.
Sage James and George Locke McKnight have petitioned to change property from R-1 and R-1A Single-family Residential to Multi-Family Residential (R-3B) to accommodate the transition.
According to a letter and concept renderings submitted to Augusta Planning, the senior housing facility will be for residents age 65 and older, and will consist of 30 single units and nine cabins that will contain two units each, totaling 48 dwelling units.
The earliest draft of the plans sent to the planning department is dated January less than a month after the RCBOE voted to sell the school. Plans also show a six foot wooden security fence, along with a buffer of long leaf pine trees and ligustrum shrubs, surrounding the property. The letter states that the proposed assisted living facility will also include “support areas, recreational spaces and community integration programs.”
The RCBOE had voted to decommission Brian Elementary School, alongside Spirit Creek Middle School, as part of the school district’s Master Facilities Plan.
The Augusta Planning Commission is slated to consider the rezoning request during its Aug. 4 meeting.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
