Proposed Saratoga Retirement Community Project

Saratoga Retirement Community History

The Saratoga Retirement Community (SRC) campus is located at 14500 Fruitvale Avenue on three contiguous parcels, totaling approximately 37 acres. The General Plan land use designation of the property is Community Facility Sites, and the zoning is R-1-40,000. 

The original Odd Fellows Home is located on the property. The Odd Fellows Home was constructed in the early 1900’s by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows to care for older members of the order. It is now listed on the City of Saratoga’s Historic Resources Inventory.

On February 21, 1996, the City Council approved an increase to the number of residential units permitted at SRC from 170 to 307 units (164 independent living units and 143 assisted living units) and an increase in the number of skilled nursing beds permitted from 68 to 99 beds. SRC did not build all the units permitted in 1996. The facility currently has 249 units (143 independent living units and 106 assisted living units) and 94 skilled nursing beds. 

Proposed Project Description

On June 21, 2019, SRC submitted an application to the City seeking approval of three new buildings which would contain 52 independent living units. If approved, this would bring the total residential units to 298 and skilled nursing beds to 52. A new meeting room would be added to the existing Manor building, and a new workout room would be added to the existing fitness center. The project proposal also includes a net increase of 109 additional parking spaces, new landscaping, removal of 65 protected trees, relocation of outdoor recreation facilities, a new Fire Department emergency access road from Chester Drive, and construction of a public trail connecting Fruitvale Avenue with the San Marcos Open Space. 

Environmental Impact Report

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) 45-day review period is from July 6 to August 21, 2023. The California Environmental Quality Act requires that an EIR describe and evaluate a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed project. The City has received plans from both the applicant and the public, which are both evaluated as alternatives within the Draft EIR. 

Review Draft Environmental Impact Report

Planning Commission Study Session

A Study Session before the Planning Commission will take place on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, beginning with a site meeting at 6:00 p.m. which will adjourn and resume at the Civic Theater at 7:30 p.m. The agenda including the staff report and other item materials are available here.

 

The Planning Commission may discuss the item and hear statements from members of the public. Study Sessions do not allow formal votes or motions on a proposed project or other matters. No comments made by the Planning Commission during a Study Session are binding or required to be carried through to the formal public hearing where actions will be taken on a proposed project.

 

Participate In Person:

  • That portion of the meeting at the project site (14500 Fruitvale Avenue) will be in-person only.
  • That portion of the meeting at the Civic Theater will be held both in-person and by teleconference at the Civic Theater at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070.

 Participate Online:

Submit Written Comments:

Comments can be submitted in writing at www.saratoga.ca.us/comment.  Written communications will be provided to the members of the Planning Commission included in the Agenda Packet and/or supplemental meeting materials.

Project Plans and Conceptual Design

Key project plans and drawings (PDF) are available to view online. Interested community members can visit City Hall, located at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, to review the complete set of proposed project plans.

SRC Conceptual Design

Process and Timeline

The community will have multiple opportunities to provide input at a series of public meetings with the Heritage Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council. Meeting dates and timeline updates will be added to this page as information becomes available.

MilestoneDate
Application submitted to the CityJune 21, 2019
Application materials under reviewOngoing
Community Information MeetingNovember 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) 30-day public scoping periodNovember 22 to December 22, 2021
EIR Public Scoping MeetingDecember 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Draft EIR 45-day review periodJuly 6 to August 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Draft EIR MeetingAugust 2, 2023
6:30 p.m.
Joan Pisani Community Center
19655 Allendale Avenue
Planning Commission Study SessionSeptember 27, 2023
6:00 p.m. 
14500 Fruitvale Avenue

7:30 p.m.
Civic Theater
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Planning Commission Public HearingPending
Heritage Preservation Commission review and recommendation to Planning CommissionPending
Planning Commission Public HearingPending
City Council Public HearingPending