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2 <br /> to amendment) . A Group Care Facility is similar <br /> to a nursing home that serves seven to fifteen <br /> unrelated individuals. <br /> Existing ordinance provisions contained in Article 12 <br /> (Landscaping and Buffer Requirements) and Article 14 <br /> (Site Plan Approval Procedures) will apply to proposed <br /> nursing homes to insure compatibility with surrounding <br /> properties. <br /> The proposed amendments for nursing homes were <br /> presented at the public hearing on May 24. No citizen <br /> comments were received at that time. The item was <br /> referred to the Planning Board for a recommendation to <br /> be presented to the County Commissioners no sooner <br /> than August 4, 1993 . <br /> On June 21, the Planning Board recommended approval of <br /> the proposed amendments. On August 4, the amendments <br /> for nursing homes were removed from the Consent Agenda <br /> and tabled until the August 17th meeting. Additional <br /> language was added to Article 8.8 . 28. 2c) for <br /> clarification of required security measures. <br /> On August 17, the proposed amendments were discussed <br /> by the Board of Commissioners and referred back to the <br /> Planning Staff for further study. Commissioner Gordon <br /> expressed concern about the potential impacts of <br /> larger nursing homes on surrounding neighborhoods. <br /> Staff was directed to examine requirements for a <br /> planned development as a method for allowing nursing <br /> homes. The County Manager also suggested that terms <br /> such as "intermediate care facility" and "skilled <br /> nursing facility" be reviewed for inclusion in the <br /> revised definition of nursing home. <br /> SPECIAL USE PERMIT VERSUS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT <br /> As part of the proposed amendments that were presented <br /> at the public hearing in May, the Planning Staff <br /> revised the Permitted Use Table to allow nursing homes <br /> with a Class A Special Use Permit in the same zoning <br /> districts where Group Care Facilities (seven to <br /> fifteen residents) are allowed with Class B Special <br /> Use Permits. According to Articles 7 .2 . 5 and 8 .8.23 , a <br /> planned development is allowed only through a Class A <br /> Special Use Permit approved by the Board of <br /> Commissioners. Therefore, a planned development and a <br /> Class A Special Use Permit are reviewed through the <br /> same procedures, including: <br /> 1. Advertisement of the public hearing; <br /> 2. Notification of property owners within 500 feet; <br /> 3 . Sign posted on the. property; <br />