The Rome City Commission has rejected a proposal to convert the former Winthrop Senior Living property on U.S. 411 into multifamily housing.
Commissioners voted unanimously to deny the special use permit, but did so without prejudice. That means the property owners can submit a new proposal without having to wait the standard 12 months.
The assisted living facility has been closed since a March fire. The property’s new owners had sought approval to convert the existing 87 units into apartments. The request had also received recommendations for denial from city planning staff and the Rome-Floyd Planning Commission.
Planning Director Brice Wood said one concern was the city and county’s upcoming changes to the Unified Land Development Code. The current Community Commercial zoning classification is being eliminated, raising questions about whether an approved special use permit would remain viable under the new regulations.
The proposal also raised concerns about the number of smaller units. The building includes 56 studios, 29 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units, with the studios potentially classified as micro-apartments.
Jarrett Wilbanks, representing the owners, said they were willing to modify the layout by combining units or increasing their size to meet future requirements.
Wilbanks said the owners have chosen to leave the property closed while the zoning issues are resolved rather than reopen it under the current use.
Commissioners also questioned management and maintenance of properties converted from other uses. Wilbanks said the owners specialize in multifamily housing and would use a management company that conducts background and credit checks on prospective tenants.
Wood said the property owners have discussed other possible uses, which was another reason planning staff supported denying the request without prejudice.
