The exterior of a proposed senior citizen residential complex in Westlake Village might be altered following criticism of the project planned at the site of the old Westlake Hospital, an official said this week.

Wayne Sant, senior vice president of development with Sunrise Senior Living, said a potential modification could involve tapering the three-story building so it appears like a two-story building in the front.

Sant and other representatives from Sunrise Senior Living hosted a community open house Monday night at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village to solicit feedback from the community on the proposal.

The plan calls for a 35-foot-high building with both independent-living and assisted-living units.

As proposed, the facility is not in compliance with the city's municipal code, according to city officials.

Zoning of the land will also need to be changed for the project to move forward, officials said.

Earlier this month, the city released a draft environmental impact report on the project. Residents have expressed concern over its size, potential emergency vehicle noise, increased traffic in the area and proximity to the street.

"I have no objection to Sunrise, but the building is too close to Lakeview Canyon (Road) and needs to be pushed back," said Gail Hobman, a resident of the First Neighborhood, which is across Lake-view Canyon Road from the former hospital.

"Traffic is really not an issue," Sant said. "People should really not be concerned with traffic with this type of development."

Representatives from the existing Sunrise Senior Center of Westlake Village said that noise from emergency vehicles is minimal at their facility and that the proposed facility will have licensed medical professionals on site and on call.

At the open house, displays featured diagrams highlighting the layout of the proposed facility, an illustration of the structure and a diagram showing an estimate of traffic.

The draft environmental impact report is available for review at City Hall, the Westlake Village library and online at the city's Web site.

The public comment and review period will end Monday.