Elnoka - A Senior Age Restricted Community

Elnoka - Image Header - Sketch of Plan layout and overview

About the Project

The revised Elnoka - A Senior Age Restricted Community project is a proposed development of approximately 68.7 acres into an active Senior Community of 272 residential units, comprised of 80 senior cottages and 191senior apartments, age-restricted to 55 and older and 1 caretaker unit, located in the southeast quadrant of Santa Rosa. The proposed senior community will provide amenities such as a café, entertainment, and activity rooms, an in-house fitness center, a surround-sound media room, outside courtyards, etc. The recreation areas, which include a swimming pool, tennis, sports and bocci courts, resident gardens, pet parks, and walking paths, will be available to residents and their guests. Garages will be available to all residents. Amenities also include housekeeping services, residential and grounds maintenance, and 24-hour on-site management.

In Depth Project Description

The site is bordered on the northeast by State Highway 12, on the southwest by Channel Drive and Trione Annadel State Park, on the northwest by residential lots and Melita Road, and on the southeast by the active adult community of Oakmont. There is a moderately sloped ridgeline running east to west through the center of the site surrounded by more gentle terrain. The southern portion of the site is drained by Oakmont Creek, while the northern portion of the site is drained by Melita Creek. 

The Elnoka CCRC project must obtain City approval for each of the following land use planning permits:  a Rezoning is required to amend the PD 91-003 Planned Development zoning district; a Hillside Development Permit must be approved to allow ridgeline development; and a Major Design Review must be granted for the construction of new buildings and site improvements on the site.  The project is also subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and will undergo environmental review concurrent with the City’s planning permit review. 

Listed below is a brief description and links to more information about each permit and the CEQA environmental review. 

Planned Development Policy Amendment

In the mid 1990’s, this same site was reviewed and approved for a senior project under the name of the Santa Rosa LifeCare Community. A Planned Development (PD) zoning district was adopted for that project on the current site. The PD zoning district contains a Policy Statement and a Development Concept Plan that are tailored to the project to ensure its development will meet or exceed the goals of the General Plan in relation to housing types and density, site improvements and amenities, land use compatibility, and environmental protection.

The Elnoka project requires an amendment to the current PD zoning district. The proposed amendment would revise the PD Policy Statement and Conceptual Development Plan to reflect the proposed building design, configuration, location, and site improvements as well as demonstrate that the project will be in substantial conformance of the goals of the General Plan.

Project Design Review

The City’s Design Review ensures that new development is integrated with the surrounding neighborhood and environment, utilizing criteria established in the City’s Design Guidelines. Projects are reviewed for site planning, circulation, architectural design, quality and type of materials, colors, and landscaping. Through this process, the City promotes superior design and thoughtful relationships between the natural and built environment, architecture and landscaping, placemaking/livability, and sustainability.

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

The project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City has prepared a draft environmental impact report (EIR) to fully analyze the project’s impacts on the environment. 

Appendices

  • Setting/Context (Vicinity Map, Neighborhood Context)
  • Title Sheet (w/ details of project
  1. Kristinae Toomians

    Senior Planner