Gay retirement complex passes environmental review

Santa Rosa's first gay and lesbian retirement community won its first approval Thursday amid supporters' speculation that some of the project's opposition was caused by homophobia rather than environmental concerns.

The $75 million Fountaingrove Lodge project is proposed for gays and lesbians 60 and older and calls for 150 housing units, including a 36-unit assisted-care center.

But some hillside neighbors of the project argued before the Planning Commission that an environmental study and technical reports that cost $500,000 and took two years to complete fail to adequately address their environmental concerns. They criticized the project's size and density, its location near an earthquake fault and its impact on traffic, endangered species and riparian habitat.

Fountaingrove resident Jim Johnson said the project will destroy 100 oak trees and a creek, and its three-story main building on top of a hill is inappropriate for the neighborhood of mostly single- and two-story homes.

But those who questioned the environmental impact report were in the minority among the 100 audience members, many of whom wore lime green armbands in support of the project.

Among supporters was local attorney Michael Fumiari, who questioned what was behind the opposition in light of the time and expense the developer, Aegis Senior Living of Santa Rosa, has spent addressing concerns.

"Those who are opposed to it, you have to wonder why," Fumiari said.

Fumiari, who hopes to one day move into the 150-unit, 10-acre project with his partner of 18 years, believes he knows the answer. "You only have to look at Prop. 8," the proposition banning gay marriage that California voters approved last week, he said.

Planning commissioners, who often explain their reasons for supporting or denying projects, said little following the audience's comments.

Commissioners unanimously approved the environmental impact study, and their comments mostly were limited to praising the quality of the study.

Earlier speakers also included Shirlee Zane, CEO for the Council on Aging and supervisor-elect for the county's 3rd District.

Zane said Fountaingrove Lodge would be a haven for aging gays and lesbians. She cited the suicide of a 74-year-old lesbian who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge several years ago, a woman who was despondent over the death of her partner years earlier and the lack of tolerance of her own lifestyle.

The lodge would provide "a safe, accepting, healthy and loving atmosphere," she said.

A number of representatives of labor and construction companies also supported the project, saying jobs and housing are critical for boosting the local economy.

City planner Erin Morris said the environmental study's approval, which can be appealed to the City Council, is only the first step for the project.

Morris said she expects development plans will be before the Planning Commission and Design Review Board sometime early next year.