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

• Draft Environmental Impact Report (PDF)
• Executive Summary (PDF)
• Appendix A: Notice of Preparation and Scoping Comments (PDF)
• Appendix B: Arborist Report (PDF)
• Appendix C: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas (PDF)
• Appendix D: Cultural Resources (PDF)
• Appendix E: Noise and Vibration (PDF)
• Appendix F: Transportation (PDF)
• Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Report (PDF)
• Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report (PDF)

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 Version OptionsProposed Saratoga Retirement Community ProjectHeadline.

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:

• Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83234319864; Webinar ID 832 3431 9864
• Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.832.343.19864 
• Watch the meeting without participating on Saratoga Community Access Television Channel 15 (Comcast Channel 15, AT&T UVerse Channel 99)
• Viewing online at www.saratoga.ca.us/watch

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.

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.