Bell Village, one of the largest projects proposed in Windsor in years, is moving toward approval with potential construction of 400 dwellings and a sought-after supermarket on the west side of town.
The 25-acre development on the site of old Windsorland trailer and mobile home park -- the subject of a Planning Commission hearing Tuesday -- could be under construction in 2012, according to the applicant.
"We're hoping to start next year, to break ground around mid-summer," said Jeff Civian, the project civil engineer for OSL Management LLC.
The partnership is a sister company of Oakmont Senior Living, headed by developer Bill Gallaher. The firm is known for projects in Oakmont and other retirement communities in Santa Rosa, including Varena and Fountaingrove Lodge.
The $65 million to $70 million Bell Village would include a 33,000-square-foot supermarket, a 14,000-square-foot pharmacy and other retail space.
The site is sandwiched between Highway 101 and Old Redwood Highway, just east of the Town Green.
No commercial tenants have signed up, which Civian said is a reflection of the uncertain economy. "We've reached out to G&G Market, Oliver's and Sprouts, which is apparently looking at a site in Santa Rosa," he said.
But he is optimistic commercial tenants will be found and the residences will be built, beginning with a first phase of 70 rental condominium dwellings.
"It's a great time to build," Civian said. "The construction industry is hurt bad by the recession. Prices are lower and we can build cheaper than ever before."
Windsor Senior Planner Rick Jones said the company "tends to finish what it starts," and Bell Village has been the most active development proposal in Windsor in the past few years.
The Town Council in 2009 previewed the conceptual plans and indicated its willingness to allocate building permits ahead of competing projects. Although technically a mixed-use project, it will not feature residences built above stores, such as in nearby Town Green Village.
Four Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for Bell Village prior to a special Town Council meeting Oct. 26.
"The town is excited about this one because of the number of people it will bring downtown, and it will bring some additional services to the downtown," said Jones. "It's a good place for this level of density."
Bell Village would consist of three- and four-story condominium units and two-story townhouses, some of which would back up to Highway 101. The units would have sound-deadening construction materials and placement in an effort to offset the need for conventional soundwalls on the freeway.
Forty percent of the units will be for very-low and moderate-income tenants, and the developer will be using some tax-benefit financing to build those units. More than 450 parking spaces would be underground.
"The company as a whole is in a strong position to build and execute the project," Civian said.
You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason
@pressdemocrat.com.
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