In an op-ed this weekend, Mary Jo Bryan, and Don and Merna Villarejo, former members of CHA (Choices for Healthy Aging), note that Cannery “will be the last large subdivision approved in Davis for the foreseeable future” and at 547 planned housing units, “it is large enough to provide something for everyone.”
“Unfortunately,” they write, “after more than two years of negotiations with ConAgra representatives, the owner of the property, and Davis City Council members, an agreement has not been reached to provide sufficient acceptable new housing at The Cannery for seniors or people with a disability.”
Instead, they argue, “Bowing to pressure by the new city manager and certain members of the City Council to get The Cannery project approved, Davis planning staff have not required the developer or its builder of choice to designate any housing that seniors or people with a disability would find adequate.”
When the Vanguard spoke with George Phillips last summer, he noted that the group CHA approached the ConAgra developers and pressed them on providing more senior housing on the site.
George Phillips said that, in response to CHA’s input and feedback, they made site modifications. From the start, they told the council that they did not want to segregate or cordon off a senior-only, age-restrictive housing component.
“We wanted a multigenerational neighborhood,” he said. “I think we’ve really accomplished that with what we have done with universal design.”
What they have developed is a Livable Design program that they have done with Eskaton.
“The design of the homes themselves are going to be very friendly for aging in place,” Mr. Phillips said. “The house plans will be reviewed and verified by Eskaton as qualifying for this Livable Design.”
The home design itself will be set up in a way where it’s conducive to people aging in place.
“A young family can move there and the parents can grow old there and it still functions for them even though it may be a two story home,” he said. “There’s a bedroom and a bathroom downstairs. The hallways are wider. The kitchens are designed a little differently as far as the working surfaces, the countertops.”
“That’s something that we’ve told the council we would do and I think we really delivered,” Mr. Phillips said. “That’s a component that’s significant. We heard from the Senior Commission and others in testimony that there hasn’t been a project in Davis that’s designed for seniors in mind and I think that this project has been.”
In September, Elaine Roberts Musser of the Senior Citizens Commission noted that CHA was proposing “carving out a block of parcels in the northeast corner of the development where a micro-neighborhood with smaller homes could be built for seniors… That’s all we’re asking for – single-story homes, with a livable design …”
At that time, she noted, “When the CHA group came before the Davis Senior Citizens Commission, commissioners listened intently to concerns expressed, and weighed them carefully.”
However, the Senior Citizens Commission was strongly supportive of the Cannery proposal.
They unanimously passed a motion that found, “The project proposal is generally consistent with the guidelines for housing that serves seniors and persons with disabilities – but we would like to see Unitrans and Yolobus make a loop within the neighborhood. The proposed livable design program and builder commitment is more than sufficient in meeting the goals of the city’s guidelines for universal access.
“The project’s location, configuration and amenities appropriately meet the city objective of providing an inclusive multigenerational approach to residential development.”
She added, “To create a senior enclave in the northeast corner of the Cannery project would place senior housing away from public transit/amenities, isolating seniors at the farthest reaches of the community, destroying the multigenerational character of the neighborhood, which is antithetical to the city’s senior housing guidelines, the city’s general plan, and SACOG principles.”
“Single-family homes are available for purchase by seniors that want them, representing 25 percent of all homes in The Cannery. There are also stacked flats and two-story homes for those seniors who prefer a different style,” she wrote noting, “Seventy-five percent of the homes feature a bedroom on the first floor, a crucial universal design feature.”
She concluded, “City policy dictates infill, diverse styles, multigenerational housing, senior housing near transportation/amenities, encouraging universal design. How does a senior enclave of single-story homes in the northeast corner of The Cannery adhere to city policy?”
But Mary Jo Bryan, and Don and Merna Villarejo have a different perspective.
They argue, “Most of the homes planned for The Cannery are on mid-size to large-size lots and are two stories tall. Seniors and people with a disability, along with small families or singles, would like small, single-story, detached homes built on small lots. They’d like something simple with two or three bedrooms and a small back yard with a patio and garden.
“The developers have resisted including this product in their plans because it doesn’t maximize their profit,” they argue. “The larger the home they build, the more money they can get for it. A small, single-story home is contrary to their goals, but not contrary to what Davis needs.
“Davis is an aging community that needs more and better housing options for its seniors and people with disabilities,” they continue. “If these residents can move out of their existing larger family home and move into a small new home at The Cannery, it not only will provide a better life for the senior, but it will provide a new opportunity for a family to move into the larger family home no longer occupied by the senior.
“Seniors and people with a disability are not asking the developers to completely redesign their project. There are areas within the current proposed Cannery plan where the proposed two-story homes on small lots could be converted to small, single-story homes,” they add.
“We would like to see ConAgra be required to designate 65 small lots for single-story homes. This would greatly increase the livability of the project for seniors and persons with disabilities and is only 65 single-story homes out of 547!,” Mary Jo Bryan, Don and Merna Villarejo argue. “The City Council shouldn’t give into pressure from the developers to provide only the types of housing at The Cannery that the developer wants. The project is large enough to provide something for everyone and it is up to our elected City Council leaders to make it happen.”
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Thank you for this information. Another reason to be dismayed about this project.
Seniors provide so much to a community. On this day, especially, I appreciate the seniors who served our country selflessly. Their life experiences can help us deal with current challenges. My grandmother lived with us. In a busy, noisy household of four children,her room was my oasis. She read to me, taught me to knit and sew. She demonstrated that one doesn’t have to talk loud and aggressively to be valued. She was patient and kind to everyone. She had arthrits, but never complained. She loved natue & watered tiny pots of African Violets on her windowsill.
Our children adored their grandparents. When DaVinci did a project about World War I, my mom delighted my daughter with her very first memory: the day the war ended and everyone was out in the streets celebrating. On that day, my mom was four years old.)
My dad used to play checkers with my son & tell him all about being in a submarine off the coast of Florida during WWII. My son loved those stories; I hope he re-tells them to his kids someday.
We need seniors all around us, giving us their wise words and helping us raise the next generation.
Thank you to all the seniors who served our country.
disagree jd. that’s an interest group pushing their agenda. i think both the senior citizens commission and george phillips layout that there is plenty there for seniors. covell people are trying to kill the project and mary jo and vernejos are their pawns.
David wrote:
> In an op-ed this weekend, Mary Jo Bryan, Don
> and Merna Villarejo, former member of CHA
> (In an op-ed this weekend, Mary Jo Bryan, Don and Merna Villarejo, former member of CHA (Choices for Healthy Aging) )
I would be interested to hear if “Choices for Healthy Aging” has done anything related to “Healthy Aging” over the past fey years other than try to make it harder for the Cannery project to move forward.
Yesterday Herman wrote:
> is ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL
> 10,000 CAR TRIPS ON COVELL A DAY
Does anyone know where Herman got the “10K/DAY” number? It sounds like it is not even close to reality. With 547 units (as stated above) that will mean 18.2 car trips per unit a “DAY”. Our entire family makes less than 18 car trips a WEEK and many neighbors (including many that bike to UCD for work) make less than 18 car trips a MONTH.
65 out of 457. That is not very many, considering all the seniors who have done so much for us. And most seniors don’t whine and don’t blow their own horn. They are dignified. Watch Clint Eatwood’s movie, Gran Torino. Would you rather have that man tucked away in a retirement home, or living next door to you? I want people like him next door to me.
*Eastwood*
[quote]Does anyone know where Herman got the “10K/DAY” number? It sounds like it is not even close to reality.[/quote]
It looks like that number came from the draft EIR (February 2013), which shows external car trips at 10,595.
Jimmy’s Daughter wrote:
> Watch Clint Eatwood’s movie, Gran Torino. Would you
> rather have that man tucked away in a retirement home,
> or living next door to you? I want people like him
> next door to me.
I’m guessing that most people in Davis don’t want a racist suicidal, alcoholic (that drives a gas guzzling muscle car) living next door to them…
the notion that only single story homes are suitable for senior citizens is flawed. The interior design of a home or building is much more important than the number floors. The developers’ commitment to universal design is a of far greater importance in meeting the needs of the growing number of senior citizens in Davis than is the number of single story homes. The problem CHA has is they do not know what universal design is. Going back to 2007 when the city first took a position supporting it they have never come out in support of universal design at any of the opportunities before the City’s various commissions.
” On this day, especially, I appreciate the seniors who served our country selflessly.”
Apparently more so than the management of the Vangauard. Thank you to al the veterans on the baord.
Biddlin ;>)/
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Excuse the typos, Biddlin’s on his notebook.
” Covell people are trying to kill the project and mary jo and vernejos are their pawns”
Yesterday it was the bike club today’s it seniors. You really think these ideas have traction?
South of Davis
People in a big hurry rarely get it right. I guess you were too impatient to watch the whole movie & see the subtle nuance of the humanity of that old man. You just don’t get it. Watch it all the way through. See the ending. I want that type of man in my neighborhood.
Jim Frame:
[quote] Does anyone know where Herman got the “10K/DAY” number? It sounds like it is not even close to reality.
It looks like that number came from the draft EIR (February 2013), which shows external car trips at 10,595. [/quote]
Jim, I meant to address this yesterday when Toad raised it since I had posted the correct info on the revised number of 8,541 cars a day, but forgot (my apologies). The revised number is because the project has fewer housing units and less commercial square footage then was studied in the EIR.
This info was posted on the Vanguard a while ago, see:
[url]https://davisvanguard.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7667:cannery-revises-maps-to-show-connectivity-gains-key-supporters&catid=53:land-useopen-space&Itemid=86[/url]
Biddlin, My mom was a Rosie the Riveter. Actually, she worked as a bookkeeper in a defense factory in Massachusetts in 1942-45. She encouraged all four of us kids to memorize In Flanders Field. I just love that poem. Thank you SO much for printing it again. Warms my heart today.
“To create a senior enclave in the northeast corner of the Cannery project would place senior housing away from public transit…”
I recently rode the muni in San Francisco. Was astounded at how many old women were carrying their grocery bags. (More astounded by how few people gave up their seat on the muni for these brave, strong ladies.)
We all want to stay self-sufficient and relevant, and useful, for as long as possible, I hope?
Scooter-“The problem CHA has is they do not know what universal design is.”
So explain it in plain English to the rest of us who are not members of CHA but who care about our seniors.
“Apparently more so than the management of the Vangauard. Thank you to al the veterans on the baord”
The Vanguard staff have upheld and brought to light people who are violating the Constitution and Bill of Rights. As an American, I appreciated their service to our community. There are so many ways to serve our beautiful United State.
Scratch “upheld and”.
JimmysDaughter “So explain it in plain english to the rest of us….”
Thank you for asking. The concept of Universal Design emerged from efforts lead by a fellow named Ron Mace at the university of Southern Carolina in 1984. They set out to design a living environment hospitable to all people without adaptation for special needs. This was more inclusive than the concept of accessibility which is focussed on the special needs and abilities of the aging or disabled. It looks at how a broad range of people use the built environment and ways to make that experience safer healthier and ways that improve the functionality of everyday tools and activities. It creates products, places and systems that reduce the need for special accommodations and many hard to find assistive devices. Examples in the home would include step-less entry, 42″ wide hallways and 34″ wide doorways. If the site plan affords, a bath and bedroom on the first floor. varying height of kitchen counters. In a multi storied home it would include extra-wide stairways. In the community it would include curb cuts and automatic doors at – for example – supermarkets. In products it would include a universal grip on garden tools and can openers that can be operated with one hand. A common example in the office is the Airon chair by Herman Miller. Universal design has universal benefits which if embraced in a comprehensive approach to community development can reinforce the desire for a human scale community focussed on sustainability safety and social interaction. Thank you again for asking
I wrote:
> Does anyone know where Herman got the “10K/DAY” number?
> It sounds like it is not even close to reality.
Then Jim wrote:
> It looks like that number came from the draft EIR
> (February 2013), which shows external car trips at 10,595.
That works out to 441 car trips an hour in a 24 hour day. Since there will probably be a lot less traffic from midnight to 5:00 am than someone thinks that an average of 10 cars a MINUTE will be driving in and out of the development most of the day…
Scooter,
Thank you for your infor. How far away from the bus stop will these homes be? Some folks don’t want to call the special bus, they like to ride the buses that the whole community rides. Also, Are these homes mixed in with the regular homes? And why is it so tough to put some nice, small, single family home for our seniors? Why is 65 out of 547 not reasonable for these folks who have contributed so much to our country?
You may want to look into the flesch readability scale app, which helps us write in very simple, easy to read language. It really helped me at my last job.
*info*
*are*
*build*, not “put”
DP
[quote]disagree jd. that’s an interest group pushing their agenda. i think both the senior citizens commission and george phillips layout that there is plenty there for seniors. covell people are trying to kill the project and mary jo and vernejos are their pawns.[/quote]
A couple of questions about this comment :
1) Is not ConAgra a “special interest group” pushing its agenda ? How about the businesses that are hoping to profit from the construction ? No “special interest” there ? Or the families that would like to have homes there, or the small business that can see themselves expanding or starting in this development ? Don’t they qualify as “special interests” ? The concept of “plenty there for seniors” of course depends upon what it is that seniors want. Each is entitled to their own opinion without being labelled “dupes”.
And is every group or individual that is opposed to this project someone’s dupe, or just these folks ?
What about those of us with health and safety concerns ? Are we Covell proponent dupes too ? Even though I was not in favor of the Covell development either for many although not all of the same reasons.
How about those concerned about the mitigation for loss of the trees ? How about those who simply do not like the housing mix as proposed. Can one not oppose this project for any reason without having either their motivations or their intelligence derided ?
Medwoman, good questions.
Based on last night’s Council meeting CHA accomplished their objective.