Board Approves Senior Care Expansion

The Westwood Zoning Board unanimously approved a plan to expand the long-term care facility CareOne at Valley during their most recent meeting.

Currently, the Old Hook Road facility has 120 beds in their building, which is situated on one lot. They plan to build an addition on a small neighboring lot which will add 77 more beds, experts who worked on the plan previously testified.

The plan required several variances, including a use variance because the expansion will bring the building into a residential zone. CareOne's planner said the building was designed in a ranch style which would blend with area homes.

"There really are no detriments," CareOne attorney Donna Erem said.

CareOne operates about 30 health care facilities in New Jersey. Their Westwood location offers nursing home services and other medical care for long-term patients, as well as care for patients recovering from ilnesses or conditions and outpatient phycisal therapy.

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