3405 West Sycamore, Franklin, WI 53132
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Hidden Terrace
Pros
The review expresses hope that the new year will bring people who care about the residents.- The community remains optimistic that future boards will prioritize the welfare of the 40 units.
- There is positive expectation that governance will be guided by residents' needs rather than internal fears.
Cons
The board does not care about the residents and is steering decisions that affect all 40 units toward a dangerous situation.- The board and the management company are headed in a direction not approved by the majority of the residents.
- Past boards had a member who was a puppet in the hands of the board President.
- The present board has no engineering experience and still makes decisions with the management company that favor their acquaintances.
- Not too bad if you have no place to live.
Review
Hidden Terrace in Franklin, WI is best suited for households that must secure affordable shelter and can tolerate ongoing governance and maintenance uncertainties. The 40-unit community operates in a tight-knit, low-cost niche where residents may have to trade longer-term stability and voice in operations for a smaller monthly footprint. This is not a setting for those who demand consistent, professional governance or transparent decision-making; it is a housing option for those who prioritize price over process and are comfortable navigating a fragile leadership dynamic.
Those who require dependable governance, transparent budgeting, and predictable maintenance should consider alternatives. Prospective residents who want a board with engineering or professional property-management experience, clear lines of accountability, and decisions that reflect broad resident input will find better fits elsewhere. Other Franklin-area communities often offer more robust oversight, documented repair histories, and fewer disputes over direction, benefits that tend to translate into calmer days and clearer expectations for residents and families.
One meaningful but limited pro is affordability. The cost at Hidden Terrace can be attractive to budget-conscious buyers or renters, reducing the monthly financial hurdle. Yet that advantage is seriously undermined by the core drawbacks: decisions that affect the entire property appear to be driven by a board misaligned with resident needs, and these misalignments are reinforced by a management company with perceived insider-first repairs. In practical terms, the price advantage rarely cushions residents from the disruption, conflict, or risk that accompanies governance that lacks independent oversight.
The main cons revolve around governance and technical oversight. The 2023 board reportedly shows a disregard for resident input, pursuing decisions that a majority of residents oppose. The relationship with the management company is described as compromising repairs to favored acquaintances, while the board itself lacks engineering experience to responsibly vet proposals. The situation is complicated further by lingering ties to a former board member who played a puppet-like role, which undermines trust and raises concerns about long-term accountability and the integrity of capital projects.
These dynamics translate into tangible resident risk. Maintenance and repair plans can appear to reflect insiders’ interests more than the community’s needs, increasing the potential for unsafe or poorly conceived work. The few stated pros, chiefly cost savings, do not reliably offset the risk of unstable leadership, disputes, and inconsistent service. In a healthier scenario, governance would be transparent, with independent oversight, a clear budget, and a documented repair track record. Without those safeguards, ongoing instability becomes the default operating condition.
In practical terms, a decision to move forward with Hidden Terrace should come with a demand for rigorous governance reforms. Prospective residents should request board meeting minutes, a current, verifiable budget, and a complete repair history before committing. If those assurances cannot be provided, exploring alternatives with proven governance structures and professional management is prudent, even at a higher price. For households that must stay, a concrete plan to address governance concerns, a switch to independent management, and a formal process for prioritizing repairs will be essential to avoid drifting into chronic instability. The key takeaway: affordability exists, but governance risk is substantial enough to warrant serious consideration of other options.
8 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Board and Care Home
Memory Care
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
General Mitchell International (4 miles away)
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Hospice waiver
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments
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