BELLE ISLE, Fla. -- There are plans to
turn a house, in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood, into
an assisted living facility.
The house is in a subdivision in Belle Isle.
On a quiet cul-de-sac in
Belle Isle, folks aren't too happy about the new owners of a
four-bedroom two-bath home that sold in March for $316,000.
"It's not what we expected. It's not what we expected
when we purchased here," said neighbor Rob Sueto.
No one lives in the house now, but work permits describe
electrical and plumbing work that is planned, and outlines
designs to convert the dining room into another bedroom.
A ramp for wheelchairs has
been installed.
"It's going to be a small business, like a nursing home or something.
There will be traffic coming through all the time, said Sueto.
"(It's) right across the street in the back of a residential
neighborhood."
The homeowners association
forbids running businesses out of homes, but neighbors
said a company called Newport Senior Link bought the
house.
The company, according to their website, operates
"private homes modified to meet state inspection
requirements ... smaller homes are particularly good for
seniors who prefer a homelike environment ... residents
receive more one-on-one attention because they are
typically limited to six seniors in the home."
"We
were surprised," said Sueto.
The neighborhood HOA has hired a lawyer to try and stop the new neighbors
from moving in.
Florida law allows assisted living in private homes under certain
circumstances, and the rules are complicated. A bill that would have
beefed up oversight of the facilities failed in this year's legislative
session.
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