SHELDON GROUP GAINS APPROVAL IN FULLERTON FOR NATIONAL SENIOR HOUSING COMPANY
City Council votes 4-0 for new Sunrise Assisted Living facility despite objections from staff and neighbors

FULLERTON, CALIF. - Once again, Sheldon Group has come to the aid of developers, winning the approval for a 68-unit, two-story luxury assisted living community for seniors in Fullerton. On Tuesday, December 6, the Fullerton City Council voted 4-0 to approve the plans for Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.'s new senior housing community.

Sheldon Group implemented an intensive community outreach program, meeting with elected officials and neighbors to ensure that everyone had a chance to provide their input on the project, which will accommodate 85 seniors. The proposal for the high-end facility had previously gained a nod of approval from the Planning Commission in July, despite lack of support from city planning staff.

Residents and local business owners, many of them seniors, packed the council chambers for the December 6 City Council hearing. Wearing bright green "I Support Sunrise" stickers on their shirts, supporters of the facility - who outnumbered the opponents - spoke of the need for senior housing in the city.

"Fullerton's senior population is growing rapidly and we need more quality facilities to accommodate that growth," said Vicki Solomon, a long-time resident of Fullerton.

Although some residents objected to the change in zoning to accommodate the luxury facility, the council ultimately decided that Sunrise was a worthwhile project. "This is an exercise in purism of zoning," Council Member Shawn Nelson remarked. "There is nothing about this project that is offensive."

His fellow council members agreed.

"I've seen other Sunrise facilities and they are quality facilities," said Councilman Dr. Richard Jones. "It's going to be very attractive - something we can be proud of."

Sunrise Assisted Living of Fullerton will include 19 rooms dedicated to caring for residents with Alzheimer's disease, ample open space that connects to the city's equestrian trails and an underground parking lot for friends and family.

Sunrise is slated to begin construction on their new community some time in 2006.

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