A contentious debate that pitted the loss of hundreds of trees versus accusations of homophobia ended Thursday when Santa Rosa's Planning Commission forged a potential solution that could clear the way for construction of the county's first gay and lesbian retirement community.
In a unanimous 7-0 vote, commissioners told the project's developer, Aegis Senior Living of Santa Rosa, to return with a revised development plan that would reduce the project's visual impact, provide access to a nearby park and would save a key stand of oak trees among the more than 350 trees slated to be cut down to make room for the $75 million, 316,000-square-foot project.
Aegis representative Steve McCullagh, who early in the four-hour hearing angrily accused the city planners of "misleading" commissioners about the Fountaingrove Lodge project, agreed to take that course of action.
"We're willing to make changes," he said.
His agreement came just before several commissioners admonished him for his attacks on the professionalism of the city's planning staff.
"The applicant does not help himself," said Commissioner Michael Allen.
By the end of Thursday's hearing, McCullagh said Aegis would be willing to eliminate six of the 148 units planned on the 9.8-acre Thomas Lake Harris Road site that sits atop the hillside Fountaingrove neighborhood.
McCullagh said that would eliminate the need for some retaining walls, save a key stand of oak trees and reduce the visual scale of the project.
"I think they are on the right track," said Commissioner David Poulsen.
The potential roadblock to fit the slightly scaled down project on the site, however, may require the need to shift about 25 of the project's required parking spots to Thomas Lake Harris Road.
Neighbors vehemently objected to that, contending it would create dangerous traffic situations, but Commissioner Nick Caston said it may be worth it "if it can save some trees and employee housing" proposed as part of the project.
Commissioners also agreed before Aegis returns with its revised plan, they want the Design Review Board to provide its analysis on the issues of building mass, parking and tree retention.
No timetable was set for that to happen.
Numerous Fountaingrove residents said project should be reduced in size, noting the two- and three-story project was too high-profile for the environmentally sensitive, tree-dotted hilltop and would worsen already problematic traffic issues.
Jim Johnson said the project is tantamount to squeezing the Costco shopping center onto the highly visible, half-mile-long parcel.
"It's 650 yards of tall buildings and lots of cement," Johnson said, alluding to the linear hilltop site.
The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce supported the project for the short- and long-term jobs it would generate.
Dr. Suzanne Dibble, among a group of gays and lesbians seeking to see if someone might build such a project, found Aegis the only developer willing to consider their proposal seven years ago.
"Nobody wanted to touch it, but they actually listened. They said they had the land and an interest in social justice," she said.
Anne McGivern accused opponents of hiding behind environmental and visual issues rather than what she believes drove them -- prejudice against homosexuals.
But opponent Kyra Jansen quickly shot back: "It's not about who should live there, it's about what should be built."
You can reach Staff Writer Mike McCoy at 521-5276 or mike.mccoy@pressdemocrat.com.
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