Assisted living home goes to G’stadt

GLUCKSTADT — After withdrawing plans for construction of a 15-bed assisted living facility at historic Livingston following opposition of nearby residents, developers found a new home here and received unanimous approval from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on Tuesday to proceed with the project. 

Chad Phillips and his wife, Crystal Gardner-Phillips, are the owners of The Oaks, an upscale healthcare home for elderly adults with disabilities. 

“This project has been a long way in the making,” Chad Phillips told aldermen on Tuesday. “It’s been a challenging year-and-a-half.”

The Phillips initially planned to build the facility at Livingston and received approval from the Madison County Planning & Zoning Commission. However, the project was opposed by the Mannsdale-Livingston Historic Preservation District. 

The Madison County Board of Supervisors discussed the project multiple times, sending it back and forth from committee to committee without taking action before the Phillips ultimately withdrew their petition and sold the property. 

Chad Phillips, who is the RN supervisor at Madison Health and Rehab, told aldermen he’s going to be an advocate for these seniors, jokingly referring to his building as a sorority house for the Golden Girls.

“I know that, personally, God’s put it in my heart to take care of these older, disabled individuals in a very unique way,” he said. “I’m an advocate for these people. I believe it’s a beautiful facility.”

Aldermen unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the project, which will be located on five acres of a 15-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Calhoun Station Parkway and Sowell Road. 

“I think it’s a great idea,” Mayor Walter Morrison said. “Thank you for bringing this to us.”