A proposed housing development in Santa Rosa has become the focus of a local debate, as Swenson, a developer based in San Jose, renews efforts to build townhomes on land that includes the historic Carrillo Adobe.
Swenson acquired the nearly 14-acre property about twenty years ago. At that time, plans for new housing were put forward with an agreement to leave land around the adobe deeded to the city for public visibility. The latest plan, called Creekside Village Townhomes, would see 162 three-story townhouses built on the site. According to preliminary designs presented at a recent public meeting, Swenson intends to preserve the adobe within a four-acre park while constructing homes around it. A formal proposal has not yet been submitted; doing so would start an evaluation process involving historical resource studies and environmental and traffic assessments.
Mark Pilarczyk, president of development at Swenson, explained at the meeting that reducing the size of the park area “slightly” compared to earlier blueprints would help with project finances.
The proposal is facing opposition from individuals connected to the adobe’s history and from Native American leaders. Larry Carrillo, whose ancestor Maria Carrillo lived in the adobe during the 1840s, said Swenson “really poked the bear.”
Greg Sarris, chairman of Graton Rancheria federation of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo, commented: “Building houses on top of this land would be a continued erasure of our history and presence here,” adding that all 14 acres surrounding the adobe should be protected by the city. Eric Stanley, associate director and curator of history at Museum of Sonoma County said: The property has “layers of history” that ”makes it a compelling place, and you wouldn’t want to disrupt it or obliterate it or hide it for all time.”
About two decades ago, Swenson purchased both the property and adobe from Diocese of Santa Rosa for $5.1 million. Earlier plans included building 140 market-rate condominiums and 25 low-income units along with creating a park for public access to the adobe. Those plans were halted following the financial crisis in 2008. Since then—and due to lack of government funding—Larry Carrillo has maintained portions of site himself.
— Chris Malone Méndez
