Elnoka in the news
September 3, 2026, Press Democrat
April 15, 2026 Kenwood Press:
Letter to the editor, Press-Democrat, April 6, 2026:
Editor: Burbank Housing plans to construct 275 units on the Elnoka site near Oakmont (“Senior development plans to debut, March 21). These plans do not address the obvious and potentially fatal issue of increasing the population in a fire-prone area. The infrastructure in this part of Santa Rosa does not support the safe evacuation of the present population. During the Glass Fire evacuation in 2020, Highway 12 was gridlocked as was the Melita/Montgomery corridor. We evacuated but could only exit our home because another driver was kind enough to let us in.
To allow the building of 275 units, only 74 of which address the need for affordable rentals, and therefore increase the population by roughly 500 people, is irresponsible and dangerous. It does not have to happen. It would be much better for the community and for the environment to leave Elnoka as wildland.
—Kerry Granshaw, Santa Rosa
elnoka site would be better left as wildland, not housing
March 24, 2026, Press-Democrat
The full article, written by Pauliin Pineda, can be fround here
Oakmont resident, neighbors voice concerns with planned senior housing development on highway 12
The article centers on resident concerns that Burbank Housing’s proposed 275-home senior community off scenic Highway 12 could worsen fire-safety risks in eastern Santa Rosa. Neighbors warned that adding hundreds of residents near a narrow two-lane scenic corridor could strain wildfire evacuation routes, increase Highway 12 congestion, and push cut-through traffic onto nearby streets such as Melita Road. They also worry the project could alter a highly visible wild greenspace near Trione-Annadel State Park. Although Burbank says the plan includes emergency access, open space, and senior and affordable housing, residents want stronger safeguards for evacuation planning, traffic flow, wildfire response, and scenic character before it advances.
“This is a fire corridor. A well-known one,” resident Leo Jones said, warning that continued building in high-risk areas could endanger existing and future residents.
“Anything that puts more traffic on Melita Road would be a catastrophe for our neighborhood,” resident Jay Owens said.
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March 1, 2026, Kenwood Press:
