Shovel likely in the ground at Keystone Villa

The Keystone Villa at Douglassville Personal Care facility, Route 422 East, received preliminary/final plan approval on Dec. 19 from the Amity Township Board of Supervisors. Developers will now proceed with the company’s third expansion by building a new 38,000 square-foot, three story building just west of the current facilities.

James Elliott, church member and president of Hollenbach Construction Company, Boyertown, announced Oct. 10 to the Amity Township Planning Commission the expansion plans and the land development plan was submitted shortly thereafter.

The commission recommended final plan approval on Dec. 12.

Elliott said in October that the anticipated start date is next March and expects the building to be completed within 12 months.

The new building will have 42 apartments, 26 units for personal care and 16 dementia units.

Keystone Villa at Douglassville is located on land owned by Two Douglassville Properties, LP, which began in the 1980s; members of the adjoining St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church purchased land to build a senior retirement community for their aging members as well as aging residents in Douglassville.

The first building was an independent living facility that opened in 2005.

That was followed by a Personal Care and Memory Care building in 2009 and a name change from the Villa at Morlatton to Keystone Villa at Douglassville in 2011.

Elliott said the former Hoffman residence will be demolished for the new construction.

The new building will be constructed of concrete block and plank, built to 1-2 code specifications, the same used by hospitals for resident safety) and the exterior will match the current buildings.

There will be fewer parking spaces required, resulting in less impervious coverage and more green space for landscaping.

Elliott said the Keystone Villa will employ an additional 14 full-time staff for its first shift and a total of 36 when the facility is fully occupied.