A high-density housing project that’s pitting neighbor against neighbor int he North County got one step closer to breaking ground this week. Renderings highlight the proposed 148-unit Silvergate senior living facility within the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant. Tuesday morning, the Rancho Santa Fe Art Jury, which OKs or rejects the look and design of new building projects, unanimously approved the development. But with more hurdles to go, some decades-long neighbors don’t see eye to eye on the project. “I think it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Cari Chanin, a 50-year Rancho Santa Fe resident. “I just think it’s the perfect solution for our community to grow,” exclaimed Nancy White, who’s lived in Rancho Santa Fe for 30 years. The planned site for the contained community with country club-style amenities is near Calzada de Bosque, right off Via De La Valle, which is a major thoroughfare for the area. “There was a fire here a couple years ago, and this road was gridlocked,” said lifelong resident Dick Clotfelter. “It affects a lot of communities in the San Dieguito River Valley because of how the roads all interconnect,” Chanin said. From traffic concerns to claims of the development destroying the rural character of the community, some opponents of the project in the affluent North County area admit that the controversy has all the hallmarks of NIMBYism. But they say they’re not opposed to the project they may need in the future, they’re just concerned about the location. A group of homeowners called Protect the Covenant opposes the project. They worry if Silvergate is built, it will open the floodgates to potential high-density, commercial development of 30 other properties and others that may be annexed. “The density is supposed to be, by the ordinance of the HOA, in the village, not here,” Clotfelter said while standing at the proposed site. “If someone says that if this is allowed, then it’s allowed elsewhere. That’s just not true,” said Pertti Visuri, who’s in favor of the project. He points to the Rancho Santa Fe Protective Covenant and a board of directors resolution from February of 2025, showing they determined the Silvergate project was similar to an apartment house and expressly permitted. The debate over the development is nearly three years old, during which time the developer, AmeriCare Health and Retirement, says they’ve made 25 major changes. For example, making it look ranch-style to blend in and reducing not only the units, but the entire footprint from 29 to 23 acres. “We’ve tried to incorporate the accommodations the Art Jury has requested from us while simultaneously trying to continue to move this project forward for them, for the local seniors as well, because time is of the essence for them,” said Greg Petree, president of AmeriCare Health and Retirement. Something Visuri knows all too well. “I don’t need it next year or the year after that, but I have a lot of friends who are already late. This has already taken a long time. I’m glad it’s moving forward,” Visuri said. Silvergate still has to go through a plan review phase with the Rancho Santa Fe Association, as well as approval from the county. ...read more read less