The City of Lewes has approved an amendment to modify its comprehensive plan changing permitted future use of land owned by Lifetime Living Inc. from institutional to residential.

The company plans to develop Canary Creek, a residential community on the site.

The panel unanimously approved the change at its Monday, Dec. 8 meeting at the Lewes Public Library.

Councilwoman Stephanie Tsantes wasn’t at the meeting and therefore did not vote. The amendment modifies the city’s comprehensive plan map.

The mayor and council’s approval of the change moves Lifetime Living’s Canary Creek development closer to completion of a process that would include consideration of a zone change application, zone change public hearing, an ordinance amending city zoning code and transfer of deeds into escrow for parcels Lifetime Living plans to donate to the city and state.

The developer has requested a change of zone for the site from community facilities district to outer ring residential district with an old town development district overlay, or open space community development district overlay.

The zone change would apply to 54 acres of the 75-acre parcel, which is adjacent to New Road. Approximately 21 acres of the site would continue with community facilities district zoning.

If zone changes were granted, Lifetime Living would place in escrow deeds conveying about 47 acres to the City of Lewes or its designee, and about 27 acres of wetlands to the state.

Lifetime Living plans to build 77 units of unattached and attached single-family housing on the site. The mayor and council in October held a public hearing on modification of the comprehensive plan. The Office of State Planning approved the comprehensive plan amendment last month.

In 2006 Lifetime Living proposed a 190-unit age-restricted community and an assisted living care facility. The city rejected the company’s request for a change of zone the development required.