Senior Housing Planned on Busy Boulevard
On September 7th, the Antioch Planning Commission is holding a public hearing in regard to Tabora Gardens, Satellite Housing, Incorporated‘s 85 unit affordable senior apartment complex to be located on the southeast corner of James Donlon and Tabora Drive.
The developer is seeking approval for a Senior Housing Overlay District with a density bonus, an exception to the parking ratio, and a variance to provide covered parking and design review.
It’s important to note that if any person challenges the decision of the City in this matter in court, he or she may be limited to raising only those issues that are raised at the upcoming Planning Commission meeting or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to, the public hearing.
Where’s the logic here? If the staff report, which is not yet posted online, is not available for viewing in a timely manner and you can’t make it down to city hall to check out the project, how can you evaluate the entirety of the project and submit your comments prior to the hearing?
I found info on the project by going online to the City’s Planning Department and clicking on current projects, which certainly is enlightening, e.g. Pulte Homes has received approval for a 553 senior housing community on 189 acres at the end of Heidorn Ranch Road.
As delighted as I am to have more senior housing in the City, I have my concerns about the location of the Tabora Gardens project. As a long-time resident, I know how many serious accidents have occurred along James Donlon Blvd, particularly in the area near Tabora Drive near the entrance to the Antioch Community Park and the 240-unit Twin Creeks Apartment complex.
James Donlon is heavily traveled by commuters from southeast Antioch and beyond, and has long been intended to link to the long-awaited thoroughfare known as the Buchanan Bypass, which would run from the intersection of Somersville Road and James Donlon Blvd. to Kirker Pass in Pittsburg.
This is actually not a bad location for this senior housing project. A similar project came before the city when I was on the council and the major issue I raised had to do with the earthen Contra Loma Dam which is directly behind this triangular parcel.