After presenting and refining proposals before the Rye City Planning Commission for more than a year, The Osborn Home received unanimous approval Tuesday to begin work on its first major construction update in 20-plus years.
The final looming questions centered on the senior living facility’s water drainage plans. After the proposals satisfied the commission and its engineering consultant, LaBella Associates, it was determined the project would not have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
The commission voted on a resolution of approval Tuesday, allowing The Osborn to move forward with its plans to build several new facilities, including independent living apartment buildings, an assisted living building, wellness amenity building, and cottages.
In The Osborn’s 11th appearance before the commission on June 9 — 364 days after its first presentation on June 10, 2025 — the public hearing on the project was closed, and LaBella presented the findings of its final review.
“The applicant has satisfied all outstanding comments with two (2) comment topics requiring further review at time of permit submission,” said a letter from LaBella.
The two comments requiring further review relate to logistics and safety during the construction phase. The letter asks for design details to be provided on fire department access gates and pathways throughout the construction. The other comment asks for continued refinements to a resident safety plan during the building permit review process.
LaBella determined the site’s water drainage plans, particularly at the intersection of Osborn Road and Theall Road, and any other potential environmental concerns, had been addressed.
“The Osborn has upgraded its stormwater mitigation plans to satisfy LaBella’s comments,” said a May 5 letter to the commission from Steven Wrabel, a partner at the law firm representing The Osborn. “Notably, the Applicant has incorporated an additional stormwater basin south of the existing cottages, which will provide additional stormwater detention and infiltration.”
Receiving a negative declaration was the last major hurdle The Osborn needed to clear in order to be granted approval without additional environmental impact reviews.
