The EIR for the proposed 206-unit Elnoka development on Sonoma Highway just west of Oakmont was approved 6-1 by the Santa Rosa Planning Commission. Some residents of Oakmont have appealed that approval to the City Council. A public hearing is set for next Tuesday, March 8, at 5 pm on the appeal.
The developer, Oakmont Senior Living, has committed to make 20% of the units affordable to very low income households, and an additional 10% of the units affordable to moderate income households. This is an unprecedented affordable housing commitment by a market rate developer in Sonoma County. HAG has strongly supported the development. It is well-designed, economically integrated, and near shopping (Safeway / St. Francis), schools (Whited Elementary, Maria Carrillo HS), and public transit. The site is designated for multifamily development in the City's housing element. it will also serve as an example of what a developer can accomplish in terms of integrating affordable housing in a market rate development (at no cost to the city or to taxpayers). If this project succeeds, we hope other developers will follow its lead.
The opponents claim it will create more traffic, noise, and reduce air quality. but the EIR finds that all of these claimed impacts would be less than significant. In previous public hearings, opponents who live in Oakmont have asserted that the project should be restricted to seniors, because seniors live across the fence in Oakmont. Some said the noise from children playing in the streets in the project would be bothersome to them. We hope the City Council will not give much weight to these kinds of objections. The City badly needs affordable housing in general, and especially in this area which is heavily "segregated" with high end single-family homes at Oakmont, Skyhawk and Bennett Valley. Normally, this would be a "no brainer" but it's a big issue at Oakmont, and those folks tend to vote as a block. Here's an ad that ran in the Oakmont paper a couple years ago:
Some of these "vote for" folks are now on the Council, along with their allies Jake Ours and Scot Bartley. Most of those candidates that HAG endorsed are not on the Council (note: Michael Allen lives at Oakmont). The Oakmont NIMBY's have turned out in great numbers to oppose the project at previous public hearings. So we hope that some folks concerned about affordable housing can attend on Tuesday and speak in favor of this very worthwhile project.
Dick Latimer has written a wonderful article supporting the project that ran in today's Kenwood Press. CLICK HERE to read it. Thanks, Dick.
Give me a call or send me an e-mail if you have any questions.
David Grabill
707 528 6839
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