A Salem, Ore. developer is seeking to convert the former Viking Nursing Home into a 95-unit assisted-living and independent-living apartment complex.

To do that, Canyon Creek Development Inc. needs a change in the Town's zoning ordinance to allow greater density for eldercare facilities in the RC residential district.

At their meeting Dec. 11, the Town Council referred the request to the Planning Board.

Sebago Technics engineer Owens McCullough, representing Canyon Creek, said the developer hopes to tear down the building that once housed a 120-bed skilled nursing facility at 126 Scott Dyer Road, and to erect a two-story, 40-unit independent-living complex for seniors. The developer plans to make only minor alterations to the adjacent building, built in 1990, which contains 55 assisted-living units.

The building that Canyon Creek wants to replace was built in 1979 and "is kind of dated," McCullough told councilors. The replacement building would reduce the footprint size of the current building, which is already served by public water and sewer, he said.

The new use for the property would be similar to its historical use, and would be consistent with the goals of the town and its comprehensive plan, McCullough said.

"We think by redeveloping it, it will take that use, that vacated building, and hopefully bring a nice project into the town," McCullough said. "But we can't do it without a zone change for the density," he said.

The current density standard for eldercare facilities in the Residence C district is one unit per 3,500 square feet, or one bed per 2,500 square feet of net residential area, whichever is less. No specific ordinance amendment has been offered to the council.

Rough estimates, without a survey or wetland delineation, show that the current ordinance would allow approximately 25 apartments on the property.

Town Manager Michael McGovern said that the Planning Board will likely hold workshops, meetings and public hearings on the proposal, and report back to the council with a recommendation in April or May.

He said the town anticipates similar questions and similar issues that arose during the Viking's original development in 1979, particularly on the neighboring Brentwood areas. "This requires a good community dialogue to see if this is the proper density," McGovern said.

Councilor Mary Ann Lynch, who has participated on the committee charged with updating the Town's comprehensive plan, said that housing for the elderly will be a real need as the town looks toward the next 10-12 years. "This certainly is addressing a need that has been identified after almost 18 months of work" on the comprehensive plan, she said.