Q. Where is Heritage Commons located?
A. Heritage Commons is located in North Cornwall Township, Lebanon County, just outside of the Lebanon City limits at 2320 Oak Street. Heritage Commons is being built on 50 acres of land in a residential neighborhood just minutes from the area shopping centers, restaurants, hospitals and other services. The location is ideal for quiet residential living and is just a short drive to the PA Turnpike, Interstate 81 and Routes 322 and 422. The picturesque areas of Cornwall and Mt. Gretna are nearby as well as the outlets and tourist attractions of both Lancaster and Hershey.
Q. What will Heritage Commons offer?
A. Heritage Commons is licensed as a not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) by the State of Pennsylvania, Department of Insurance which provides regulatory oversight to more than 100 CCRCs in Pennsylvania. As a CCRC, Heritage Commons will offer independent living in single family and duplex cottages and apartments as well as on-site assisted living. While the emphasis will be on active independent living, cottage residents will have priority access to higher levels of care, as may be needed.
Q. What will the cottages look like?
A. The cottages will offer convenient, single story living with floor plans ranging from approximately 1200 to 1600 square feet. Five floor plans are offered, each with a fully-equipped kitchen, ample closet space, laundry area and attached garage. Most are duplexes although some single cottages are available.
Q. What services will be offered?
A. As a resident of Heritage Commons, you will enjoy virtually maintenance-free living with all lawn care, trash pick up, snow and leaf removal taken care of for you. Exterior and interior maintenance of your cottage means you’ll never have to pick up a paintbrush or climb a ladder again! When the community center is built, all residents will have access to dining, a swimming pool, fitness center, and a host of social and recreational activities. Services are paid through a monthly service fee that is currently $875.
Q. What campus amenities will be available?
A. The Commons will feature resident social and recreational areas including a fitness center with age-appropriate exercise equipment and indoor heated pool. Residents and guests will enjoy a pub for casual dining, a spacious dining room, multi-purpose room, cultural and entertainment events, a library and crafts room. Cottage and apartment residents have full use of these amenities as part of their monthly fee. The Commons will be built as Phase III following completion of Phase I and II of cottages.
Q. Will I own my cottage at Heritage Commons?
A. Heritage Commons enables you to avoid the hassles and uncertainty of homeownership. Residents will pay a one-time entrance fee (or “life lease”) which enables you to stay in your cottage or apartment home for as long as you are physically able. Entrance fees will range from $188,500 to over $215,000 depending on the size and style of cottage built. 50% & 75% refund plans are available and will be refunded to you (or to your estate upon death) when you permanently vacate your cottage or apartment home. Prospective residents will be required to complete a medical and financial application form to demonstrate ability to qualify for residence at Heritage Commons.
Q. What health care services will be available?
A. Residents of Heritage Commons will have priority access to on-site assisted living on a fee-for-service basis. Assisted living services will provide support with daily living needs including bathing, dressing, meals and medication management in private rooms and suites. Although there will not be a skilled nursing home on site, Heritage Commons will have agreements with one or more reputable area facilities to provide nursing care services as needed on a fee-for-service basis. Neither assisted living nor nursing care services are included in the monthly fee. However, if permanent transfer to assisted living or nursing care is required, the cottage monthly fee is decreased or eliminated completely.
Q Will pets be allowed?
A. Pets will be permitted in the cottages. Pet owners will be required to sign and abide by a set of rules and restrictions regarding their pets.
Q. Will I be able to customize my cottage home?
A. Several options and upgrades will be available for you to choose from including carpet and vinyl floor coverings, kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, paint colors and more. Upgrades such as gas fireplaces and enclosed sunrooms are also available prior to the start of construction.
Q. What are the steps to becoming a resident of Heritage Commons?
A. A $1,000 Priority Reservation Deposit will enable you to place a “hold” on the desired lot location. When the home style and options are selected, 10% of the applicable entrance fee plus any upgrades selected will be required to begin construction. The remaining balance of your entrance fee will be required when you are notified that your home is ready for move-in, approximately 120 days from start of construction. Monthly fees will begin the first month of occupancy. Cottage homes in Phase I will be given first priority for construction. Subsequent phases will be built as marketing progresses.
Q. Who is behind Heritage Commons?
A. Heritage Commons is being built and operated by Lebanon Valley Catholic Home, Inc., a not-for-profit 501 c (3) corporation established for the sole purpose of developing a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lebanon, PA. An all-volunteer board of directors is made up of area businessmen and women and retired citizens committed to establishing a faith-based, affordable option for retirement living in the area. Heritage Commons is open to people of all faiths and does not discriminate based on gender or race. All persons age 55 and older may apply for residency at Heritage Commons. A disclosure statement and articles of incorporation are on file at the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance or available by request.
The following individuals are contributing to the development:
Thomas A. Behney, President
Frederick A. Leiss, VP
Michael A. Santora, Treasurer
Ada Horn, Secretary
Earl Tropp
Bernard O’Hern
Patrick J. Freer
Robert A. Rakow
Archie R. Battistelli
Advisors
Jeff R. McCauslin P.E.
Father John Peck
Director of Marketing
Deborah JH Bertolet
Contractor
William Smeltzer, Sr.
Q. How can I get more information?
A. The Heritage Commons Marketing Office and model home are located at 2320 Oak Street, Lebanon. For a personal tour and appointment, please call 717-272-4332.