Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village Initiative

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The Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village Initiative updates zoning in Downtown Walnut Creek to permit over 200 units of much needed senior housing near BART, along with community-serving retail. It will help the city's growing population of seniors age in place, while creating a more vibrant, connected downtown for the whole community.

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Senior housing: This initiative provides opportunities for high-quality housing for seniors, allowing them to age in place while staying connected to family, friends, healthcare and community. The initiative: 

• Addresses the clear and growing need for senior housing in Walnut Creek, where seniors make up roughly half of the population 

• Allows for development of over 200 units of high-quality senior housing options for residents who want to remain in Walnut Creek 

• Creates opportunities for seniors in Walnut Creek and surrounding communities to age in place, keeping them close to family, friends, healthcare and community connections 

 

Transit-oriented location: The initiative’s location next to the Walnut Creek BART station will enable easy access to regional destinations, local services and the Downtown Trolley system, supporting walkability and promoting health and wellness. The initiative: 

• Enables seniors to take BART to Lamorinda, Pleasant Hill, Rockridge, San Francsico, the SFO and Oakland airports and beyond 

• Creates walkable access to downtown shopping, dining, services and entertainment 

• Allows convenient connections to public transit, including the Downtown Trolley that supports mobility and independence 

 

Vibrant, mixed-use community: The initiative facilitates a variety of retail and food-oriented businesses and senior residences into a mixed-use center, serving both residents and existing and future businesses while strengthening the local economy. The initiative:

• Facilitates community-serving businesses, such as an accessible public market, with shopping, dining, entertainment and other everyday services that meet residents’ needs and support a diverse downtown economy 

• Supports current and future neighborhood businesses by driving evening and weekend activity generated by the surrounding residential community 

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Aligns with Walnut Creek’s long-term vision: The initiative supports the City’s General Plan, Housing Element and North Downtown Specific Plan by prioritizing senior housing, mixed use development, the health and wellness of residents and sustainable growth near transit. The initiative: 

• Advances the city’s goals for more senior housing, mixed-use development and healthy community design 

• Supports the city’s goal to create a diverse economy with entrepreneurship employment opportunities 

• Facilitates growth near transit hubs to enhance pedestrian access and reduce traffic, support sustainability and enhance quality of life for residents