Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton: Well Worth the Wait

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

With the City Council's long-awaited and unanimous approval on September 7, it is now full steam ahead for Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton, the continuing-life retirement community that will rise on 46 acres of the former Staples Ranch property.

"The unanimous vote was a big deal because there had been some disagreement in the past," notes Troy Bourne, Vice President of Continuing Life Communities, the project owner and operator, explaining that questions relating to nearby development issues, rather than the project itself, were at the heart of the delay. With those issues resolved, the project received its green light, to the pleasure of some 100 future occupants in attendance at the council meeting.

The next step, expected by the end of the year, is formal annexation of the property. Construction will get underway in first quarter 2011, with first occupancy slated for sometime in 2013.

Despite the protracted approval process, Bourne notes that there has been high interest in the community since the information center first opened at 5698 Stoneridge Drive in Hacienda more than two years ago. "We have over 1000 seniors who have put deposits down to make sure they have a shot to move in when the community does open," he says.

The original plan really has not changed much over time, Bourne adds. "There will be 635 single-story, apartment- or condo-style homes of varying size, up to 2,500 square feet, all age restricted" to seniors 62 and older, in a setting reminiscent of a college campus. Built into the community will be an abundance of amenities, from three restaurants and a movie theater to a recreation center staffed with personal trainers, a swimming pool, tennis and bocce ball courts, and a short-game golf course. Because occupants will likely be retirees looking to fill their leisure time by reviving old hobbies and developing new pursuits, Stoneridge Creek will also include a woodworking shop, art studio, garden center, performing arts theater, library and computer lab, and billiards and card rooms.

A full complement of services will afford residents "carefree independent living without the responsibilities of home ownership." Regular housecleaning. flat linen service, exterior and interior maintenance, transportation, gated entry, and 24-hour emergency call response are all integral parts of the plan.

Beyond the resort-like environment and activities, for many the appeal of Stoneridge Creek will be the associated healthcare facilities also to be erected on the site. An adjacent health center will offer unlimited access to assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support accommodations for as long as needed, relieving residents of concerns about becoming a burden to their spouse or families in the future, "a combination that leads to freedom, security, and peace of mind," Bourne observes.

Expressing his appreciation to City Council and the many local Pleasanton residents "who stepped up to make this happen," Bourne also points out that the priority reservation program, which allows a significant discount for early sign-ups, will expire at the end of the year. Because of state regulations designed to ensure the viability of the project, all deposits go into escrow and can be refunded with interest. "It's a risk-free deal, so people who are interested should check it out sooner rather than later," he notes. For more information, call (800) 849-0023 or visit www.stoneridgecreek.com.

Photo: Construction of Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton will begin in the first quarter of 2011.

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