Residents voice concerns as massive shipment of 38,000 truckloads of soil commences at Seven Hills Ranch construction project
A contentious senior community construction stirs discord in Walnut Creek, California
Residents near the proposed Seven Hills Ranch senior community in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, have raised concerns about the ongoing construction of The Glen at Heather Farm. They argue the reality is louder, earlier, and dustier than promised, with several residents citing NIMBYism and other criticisms.
The 354-unit continuing-care community, backed by Spieker Senior Development Partners, commenced construction this spring after receiving approval from county supervisors in 2022. The project involves leveling a 30-acre hillside off Ygnacio Valley Road, which necessitates the movement of roughly 375,000 cubic yards of soil, equivalent to approximately 38,000 truckloads.
"Nobody should be surprised— they're grading in preparation for a very expensive, for-profit life-plan community," wrote Nancy M. of Palos Verde in an online neighborhood forum. The discussions on the forum have garnered dozens of comments.
The heaviest complaints stem from the Diablo Hills tract across Marchbanks Drive. "The trucks are parking in red zones on Marchbanks as early as 5:30 a.m., so we can't see oncoming traffic when we pull out," said Kristen L. of Diablo Hills. "We were told construction wouldn't impact the neighborhood— of course it is."
Kristen shared a photo of the construction-related congestion with our website, stating she has more. Golfers at neighboring Walnut Creek Hills have also voiced displeasure over the noise. "The trucks were very noisy," wrote Marilyn B. of Cervato Circle, concerning the three-year construction of expensive senior housing.
Some residents lamented the failed effort by Save Seven Hills Ranch, a grassroots group that collected over 4,000 signatures urging the county to buy the parcel for open space next to Heather Farm Park. "I think it would have been nice if the city had purchased this property and maintained it for walking and nature," wrote Susan F. of Hedgewood.
Similar accusations of NIMBYism have flown back and forth. "The neighboring HOA demanded the site be lowered so it wouldn't tower above their homes," replied Diane Y. of Buena Vista. Other residents disputed that the HOA had won any concessions.
Troy Bourne, Danville-based principal at Spieker Senior Development Partners, maintains the complaints disregard the desperate need for age-in-place housing in the region. He noted that his company spent 30 years searching for a site in Walnut Creek for more housing and considers the Seven Hills site ideal for the city's retirees.
The developers also emphasize $4.75 million in community benefits allocated to the city of Walnut Creek by the project.
Frustrated neighbors who called City Hall were surprised to learn that the project falls within unincorporated Contra Costa County, thereby limiting Walnut Creek's direct oversight. The only jurisdiction involved is the local police, who handle trucks parking illegally on city streets.
According to county filings, the development will include 354 independent-living apartments, a health-care center with assisted-living and skilled-nursing beds, a clubhouse, maintenance facilities, and 519 parking spaces. Grading alone is expected to last through late summer, with vertical construction potentially stretching into 2028. Spieker has pledged $3 million for local parks and a $2 million affordability fund for lower-income seniors.
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[1] Based on a typical dump truck carrying about 10 cubic yards of soil, 38,000 truckloads are required for the project.
- In the online neighborhood forum, concerns about the real-estate project, The Glen at Heather Farm, have been expressed, with some residents questioning the financial implications of a for-profit life-plan community and discussing the heavy trucks and congestion associated with investing in such a large-scale senior housing project.
- As the construction of the Seven Hills Ranch senior community continues, some residents are voicing concerns about the impact on their neighborhood, particularly in terms of finance. They argue that the community benefits allocated to the city, while appreciated, may not fully offset the costs they are experiencing, including increased noise levels and traffic congestion associated with this real-estate project.
