The RSFA Art Jury denied Silvergate’s request to install only half of the story poles – buildings situated on the outside perimeter of the proposed development – at the June 10 Art Jury meeting. Story poles are a customary requirement for building projects proposed in the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant to help the Art Jury determine whether the bulk and mass of proposed construction is appropriate, and allow members to provide input on projects – especially those near their properties.
David Petree of Americare – the company proposing the Silvergate senior living project – asked the Art Jury to accept a revised plan to erect story poles on the outside portion of the development, and approve adding a second story to the memory care building. He said that the high number of story poles on the interior of the project is too numerous and would confuse the Art Jury and community members who observe the project.
The Association meeting room was filled with members both for and against the project citing a variety of reasons why the development will have either a positive or negative effect on the community. Despite Art Jury President Kelli Hillard’s directive to focus the discussion on the question of story poles and a second story on the memory care building, Petree, his two sons, and the members voiced their opinions on everything from the high water table of the river valley, to the growing number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
One spokesperson reminded the group that Rancho Santa Fe is an HOA, not a municipality and that community needs customarily provided by a city are not expected of an HOA. Plus a commercial facility like Silvergate does not adhere to the low-density, rural, dark-sky attributes that attract homeowners to the Ranch. Several people in favor of Silvergate spoke about their concern of moving away from the Ranch as they age, with one person saying that at a certain age, he would be inevitably “kicked out of the Ranch.” Another member cited studies that seniors with declining health or cognitive function have a better quality of life staying in their own home as they age, rather than an assisted living facility. At one point, one of Mr. Petree’s sons asked the audience for a show of hands if they personally knew of someone with declining cognitive health. One member reminded members of the Art Jury that it was their job to help protect all the members, pleading with them to “do the right thing.”
The meeting finally returned to the questions before the Art Jury who unanimously voted to have Silvergate erect story poles for every building on the proposed development, including a scheme to show the memory care building at both one and two stories.
The next phase of the RSFA design process is to wait until the story poles are installed. Stay tuned for future news.