Update: We are thrilled to announce that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved the Spieker Senior Development project!
Greenbelt Alliance was excited to officially endorse the Spieker Senior Continuing Care Community project by Spieker Senior Development Partners. This project will bring more homes to cater to our elderly population, providing amenities, access to open space, and sustainable infrastructure in Walnut Creek.
The development will span an area of approximately 30.6-acres in unincorporated Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County. As a Life Plan Community—also referred to as Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC—it will offer housing, resident services, and long-term care to its residents.
The CCRC itself will comprise 354 homes, 15% of which will be affordable. The apartment-style building will have a clubhouse and two open courtyards, common dining areas, an auditorium, an indoor pool, a theater, and an art studio among many other amenities and recreational elements. This will allow residents to socialize and interact with one another while participating in a variety of activities. The site will also include a community garden, a tennis court, and a health care center for those who require daily assistance or medical attention.
Sustainable Standards
As part of the Spieker Senior Development’s plans, there will be trails for easy access to open spaces within the project site. It will also preserve 81 protected trees and plant over 1000 new trees.
It also incorporates strong sustainability features and efficient building standards for water and energy:
- Water: The landscaping has been carefully considered to complement the natural environment as well as provide a sense of relaxation for residents and visitors alike. Instead of water-intensive lawns, the landscaping would be drought-tolerant, centrally managed, water-efficient, and will include bioretention basins, native tree planting, riparian revegetation areas, and courtyard ornamental landscaping. The project proposes planting willows and native oaks to improve the existing central drainage.
- Energy: The development also plans for 34 fully functional EV charging stations and 25 spaces for future stations, energy-efficient appliances, and green building materials among many other sustainability features.
Transit and Mobility
This new development offers residents easy access to public transit, being in close proximity—less than a mile distance—to Pleasant Hill BART Station, John Muir Medical Center, and Downtown Walnut Creek. Residents can enjoy multiple shuttles provided by the community for daily errands and regional excursions. An employee transportation incentive program would also be implemented to encourage carpooling l, biking, walking, and using public transportation.
While the project plans for 594 total parking spaces, it also provides above-average spaces for bicycle parking. This not only encourages residents to cycle for transportation and recreation but also provides a safer environment for pedestrians.
Greenbelt Alliance supports this project because, in addition to much-needed housing, this project will provide important services for our growing senior population in the San Francisco Bay Area and California. These will include skilled nursing care, social activities, and transportation assistance. This combination of housing and services makes Spieker Senior Development a valuable resource for our community. This development will also have a positive impact on our environment. Its landscaping, mobility, and energy efficiency features will make it easier for seniors to live independently while preserving precious natural resources. We believe that this development will set an example for other climate-smart projects and help us create more sustainable communities for everyone across the Bay Area.
Greenbelt Alliance’s Climate SMART—Sustainable, Mixed, Affordable, Resilient, Transit-Oriented— Development Endorsement Program goals call for fully protecting the Bay Area’s greenbelt, directing growth within existing communities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and accomplishing both in a way that equitably benefits all Bay Area residents. Our Endorsement Program provides support for projects that advance the right kind of development in the right places. By promoting climate SMART development, we can create thriving, resilient neighborhoods with ready access to transit and housing choices for all of the Bay Area’s people. Find out more about our Endorsement Program here. Feel free to contact our team for more information and support.
Photo: Spieker Senior Development Partners
