But Villa Portofino won’t have to worry about whether its residents stay cool. The new retirement resort being developed here will rely on gas-fired chillers, while a backup generator will be installed to provide the small amount of electricity these chillers need should blackouts roll through this part of the state.
In addition to the housing, a 30,000-sq-ft clubhouse and a 9,000-sq-ft fitness center will keep residents busy. Eventually, an assisted living and skilled nursing facility could be built on-site, so residents could move from being independent to being totally dependent in the same complex — an idea that’s catching on at other retirement developments around the country.