NEWINGTON - A restructured plan for the East Cedar Street/Russell Road development project now has senior housing in its blueprint, but whether or not that component stays there will be determined by the Conservation Commission’s level of scrutiny, according to Newington Director of Economic Development Andy Brecher.

       The Commission has already given Hunter Development President Michael Frisbie the go-ahead for his original proposal-a hotel, gas station, medical offices, and retail establishment at the former Lowell Manufacturing site-but adjusting the plan to allow Amara Community Living to add a nursing home will require him to go back to their table.

       â€�"This will be a dilemma for the Conservation Commission, because they typically like to act with a mountain for data,” Brecher said during a phone conversation.

       Case in point: the infamous Toll Brothers development proposal for a portion of Cedar Mountain. The Commission labored through a series of marathon meetings before making the decision to reject the developer’s application due to what Commissioners said were unanswered questions related to a number of environmental concerns.

       The revised plan for the East Cedar Street/Russell Road development will involve taking out the gas station component, which had the greatest potential to cause a hazard to the northwest corner wetlands, Brecher said.

       â€�"If the Commission agrees, then I believe that they will get the green light and Frisbie will move forward with Amara,” he said.

       But if that approval is so much as delayed, the nursing home aspect is almost sure to be taken out, Brecher says.

       â€�"I think Frisbie will say, ‘I don’t have time for this’, Amara will pull out, and we’ll get a gas station,” he said.

       Frisbie has been waiting to develop the property-sold by Lowell Manufacturing in 2006-since a court battle won him the go-ahead for his proposal in 2009. The effects of the recession, coupled with a hotel developer pulling out of the project, put work off further, according to Brecher.

       â€�"Frisbie can’t tolerate any more delays,” he said. â€�"It’s already been way too much time.”

       Amara’s portion of the proposal-if approved-will construct senior housing within an assisted living community.

       â€�"This is for elderly people who, for the most part, need to get out of their houses because they can’t maintain them or afford them,” Brecher said.

       While the development will offer independent living, residents can transition into being provided additional services-including advanced medical assistance, adult daycare, and outpatient care-as they age.

       â€�"At some point, we need additional help,” Brecher said. â€�"As they require more services, they can avail themselves to assisted living.”

       Almost 50 percent of those surveyed as part of a Housing Needs Study recently released expressed some level of interest in senior housing-something some residents have had difficulty finding in a town where the over 60 population is expected to number 9,807 by the year 2025.

       â€�"This would certainly be helpful to that segment of seniors that’s finding it difficult to take care of their personal needs,” Brecher said.

       Senior affordable housing has also been brought up throughout the discussion as a whole, but Amara’s plans are for units priced at market rate, Brecher said.

       â€�"Affordability will vary considerably,” he said. â€�"There will be a variety of sizes and styles.”

       Frisbie could not be reached for comment.