The Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development issued initial plan review comments for the building permit application for The Carnelian Project. The project team is currently reviewing the feedback and updating the plans to address the comments as part of the standard permitting process prior to approval.

Huston General Contracting, Inc. (HGCI) submitted the building permit plans for The Carnelian Project to the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development for review. This submission marks the transition from project approval to the permitting phase, during which plans are evaluated for compliance with applicable building codes and regulations prior to the start of construction.

Joshua Eckhaus and a co-petitioner have filed a request in the Contra Costa County Superior Court asking the Court to direct the County to prepare and certify the full administrative record related to the approval of The Carnelian Project. This includes materials such as hearing transcripts, staff reports, public comments, and the final decision documents. Carnelian Assisted Living and Huston General Contracting, Inc. are named as real parties of interest and may participate if needed. This filing is a procedural step in the case and does not place the project on hold or delay its progress.

View document here: N25-2046

Joshua Eckhaus, along with a co-petitioner, has filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in the Contra Costa County Superior Court against the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, challenging the County’s approval of The Carnelian Project. The lawsuit is directed at the County’s decision-making process, not The Carnelian or its contractor. Carnelian Assisted Living and Huston General Contracting, Inc. (HGCI) are named as “real parties of interest” and may participate in the case if needed. At this time, the filing does not place the project on hold, and no construction delays have been issued as a result of the petition.

View full document: N25-2046

Contra Costa County filed a Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for The Carnelian Project following its approval. The filing determines that the project qualifies for a categorical exemption, as it involves an addition to an existing residential care facility and is not expected to result in significant environmental impacts. This notice confirms that no further environmental review is required under CEQA, allowing the project to proceed.

The Board of Supervisors hearing for The Carnelian Project marked a significant milestone, reflecting both sustained community support and a thorough review process. Community members once again showed up to voice their support, reinforcing the meaningful role the project plays for local families. After careful consideration of the project details, public testimony, and prior approvals, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted 4–0 to approve the project. With this decision, the Land Use Permit was officially issued, allowing The Carnelian Expansion to move forward into its next phase.

Message from Katherine Dunphy

Dearest Residents, Families, Colleagues, Neighbors, and Friends,

We are overjoyed to share this incredible news with you—

The Carnelian Expansion Project was unanimously approved by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in a 4-0 vote!

This victory is yours as much as it is ours. Whether you joined us at every hearing, signed our petition, wrote letters of support, encouraged us from afar, or simply believe in what we're building—thank you from the bottom of our hearts . Your support carried us through this long and challenging journey.

Minutes before the hearing, I knelt beside my young niece and nephew and asked if they understood what today meant. They assumed I was asking for their best behavior. But instead, I told them:

"This moment has taken your uncles and me 14 years. It's our dream. And that no matter where life takes you, you must hold onto your dream. Even when the path is long and the dream feels out of reach. Even when fear and self-doubt creeps in. Even in the face of rejection. You must keep going with courage. With purpose. And with a heart determined to help others and make a difference in this world."

In Jay's letter to the Board (letter attached), he wrote, "The Carnelian has shaped us." And it's true. What began five decades ago as a way for our grandmother to care for her own mother has grown into something far greater: a multi-generational refuge rooted in family, sustained by compassion, and inspired by the belief that care is sacred.

Jay put into words something we all feel—that the Carnelian is more than a place where people age, it's a community hearth. A place where generations gather, where children discover wisdom in the hands of elders, and where our seniors are not hidden away, but honored, celebrated, and deeply seen.

Adlai reminded us at the hearing (speech attached), "This expansion isn't just about adding rooms, it's about adding capacity to care." It's about saying yes to more families. About designing a place that remains rooted in the warmth and intimacy that has always defined us—no long hallways, no institutional walls, just more room for dignity to grow.

We often say that The Carnelian isn't just a building—it's who we are.

As Maya Angelou once wrote, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Now, we know better. We've seen what loving, intentional care can look like when it's rooted in relationship and community. We've witnessed how meaningful aging can be when affection and dignity lead. We've learned through every resident, every family, every loss and every quiet joy—that there is a deeper, more human way to care.

And because we know better, we must do better. We must build better. We must show that elder care can be beautiful, warm, intimate and worthy of the people we love.

This expansion is our commitment to doing better. For our elders, for our neighbors, for our children watching from the sidelines, quietly learning how we treat people and become the best version of who we are.

This is not the end of a journey. It's the continuation of a legacy. A legacy shaped by the stories of every person who has ever called The Carnelian home.

And today, because of you, that legacy will grow to serve many more.

So, from the depths of our hearts, thank you.

Thank you for believing in us.
Thank you for standing by us.
And thank you for helping us carry this dream forward.

You can watch the full hearing by clicking: Board of Supervisor Hearing

Video starts at 7 hour, 40 minute mark

View Meeting Reports: Meeting Reports

Our neighbors submitted an appeal letter to the Planning Commissioners’ decision, requesting that our project be reviewed by the County Board of Supervisor.

This is a standard part of the local development process that allows community members to voice their concerns about projects in their neighborhood. As the final authority in the county approval process, the Board of Supervisors will review our proposal, consider the appeal points raised by neighbors, and make a determination based on county zoning regulations and development guidelines.

We welcome this opportunity to address any questions about our plans and to demonstrate how our project aligns with both county requirements and community needs. We remain committed to being transparent about our expansion and to working cooperatively with all stakeholders throughout this process.

Copy of Letter of Appeal: View Document

The Planning Commission hearing for The Carnelian Project was met with strong community support. Numerous community members attended the meeting to provide testimonies highlighting the positive impact the project has had on their families. After reviewing the project details and listening to heartfelt stories, the Planning Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of the project.

Message from Katherine Dunphy

Dearest Families, Colleagues, and Friends,

Our hearts are full—we're thrilled to share that The Carnelian Expansion project has been approved tonight at the County Planning Commission in a 3-2 vote! To everyone who wrote, spoke up, stayed late, and simply stood with us—thank you. This was our second hearing, and we know how much time, care, and emotion you all poured into this process. We are deeply, deeply grateful.

This expansion is for the people who inspire us. It's about making space—for more love, more care, more dignity, and more hope. This is not just another development—this is a legacy project. It's for the families who are quietly praying that, when their time of need comes, a place like The Carnelian will still be here.

Tonight, we stood for our right to belong (and expand!) in this neighborhood—not just as a senior home, but as a community. We stood for our loved ones who call (or once called) this place home, for the people who built this neighborhood, and in service to those who hope to come home to it once more.

We spoke the truth: that our families, employees, and visitors are not who makes the streets unsafe—it's the speed of cars, not the pace of care! We stood to show that having a well-loved senior home on your street is not a burden to bear, but a gift—something to be cherished and protected.

When some cry "build it somewhere else", they may agree with the need for more specialized care, just not here—because it disrupts and inconveniences their quiet lives. We reminded them that caring, progressive communities make space for everyone—including those at the most vulnerable chapters of life. These aren't strangers. They are the very people who helped shape our community—the ones who built the homes we now live in, raised families here, planted trees, coached little league teams decades before we did. To deny them the chance to return to a peaceful, familiar setting in their final years doesn't feel like progress—it feels like forgetting.

Tonight, we affirmed our right to exist and our right to belong! We're so proud, so humbled, and so honored to carry this legacy forward with all of you by our side. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you

Our neighbors submitted an appeal letter to the Zoning Administration decision, requesting that our project be reviewed again by the County Planning Commission.

This is a standard part of the local development process that allows community members to voice their concerns about projects in their neighborhood. The Planning Commission will review our proposal, consider the appeal points raised by neighbors, and make a determination based on county zoning regulations and development guidelines.

We welcome this opportunity to address any questions about our plans and to demonstrate how our project aligns with both county requirements and community needs. We remain committed to being transparent about our expansion and to working cooperatively with all stakeholders throughout this process.

Copy of Letter of Appeal: View Document

On February 3rd, the County Zoning Administrator APPROVED our project,

This was an important milestone in our expansion process, giving us official permission to move forward with our plans to increase our capacity and enhance our community. The approval confirms that our proposed two-story addition meets the county's zoning requirements and development standards.

We're grateful for the careful consideration given to our application and look forward to bringing this vision to life for the benefit of current and future residents at The Carnelian.

On January 22, 2025, the 3rd public hearing at the County Zoning Administrator took place. Many community members attended and provided testimonies in support of our project, sharing heartfelt stories about The Carnelian's impact on their families.

After hearing from all participants, the Zoning Administrator announced that a final decision would be made at the next hearing on February 3, 2025.

You can watch the full hearing by clicking: 3rd public hearing

On October 1, 2024, we welcomed our Saranap neighbors to The Carnelian for our second neighborhood meeting. From 5:00-6:00 PM, we presented our redesigned project specifically to address concerns raised during previous hearings.

We openly discussed the reasoning behind certain design choices—from financial constraints to our residents' well-being—and detailed the compromises we've made since our last meeting. The session concluded with a transparent Q&A where we answered questions to strengthen our community relationships.

Key Design Changes to Address Neighborhood Concerns (September 2024 Design):

Relocation of Elevator Shaft
The elevator shaft was moved from the front of the building to the rear, adjacent to the Flora Apartment fence, to minimize its visibility from the street.
Reduced Building Height
The overall height of the building was lowered by approximately 2 feet, reducing it from 27 feet to just 25 feet. The tallest point, the elevator shaft, now aligns with the height of neighboring two-story homes, while the rest of the roofline is about 23/24 feet to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood.
Updated Siding Material
The building’s siding was updated to board and batten, reflecting the predominant style of homes in the Saranap neighborhood.
Modified Roofline
The roofline was redesigned to align with the neighborhood’s character, including the addition of dormers to enhance architectural harmony with nearby homes.
Enhanced Landscaping
A local landscape architect is collaborating with Carnelian to design landscaping that softens the building’s appearance. This includes climbing vines along the building’s sides, planter boxes on windows, and the addition of trees and other greenery to complement the neighborhood’s natural environment.
Additional Windows
More windows were added to the exterior walls to break up the building’s façade, creating a visually lighter and more inviting appearance that blends better with the surrounding homes.
Shadow Studies
Two light studies were conducted to assess potential shading impacts: one by HGCI, Inc. and another by third-party ShadeMap. Both studies found no impact during the summer solstice (the longest days of the year). The ShadeMap study further revealed that during the winter solstice (the shortest days of the year), any shading on affected solar panels would first come from existing redwood trees, followed by cypress trees, and lastly by the building itself.

Additional Adjustments in Response to the Neighborhood Meeting (October 2024 Design):

Reduced Second-Floor Mass and Setback Adjustment
To minimize the perceived mass of the building and create the illusion of a smaller structure, the second floor has been set back an additional 4 feet from the neighbor’s fence line. The second floor is now 14 feet away from the fence (previously 10 feet), creating a stepped transition between the first and second floors.
Lowered Elevator Shaft
The height of the elevator shaft has been further reduced to align with the building’s roofline, ensuring a more streamlined and less imposing profile.
Italian Cypress Privacy Screen
Italian cypress trees will be planted to enhance privacy for neighboring properties, providing a natural and effective screen.

At the second public hearing on June 17, 2024, the Zoning Director instructed us to meet with our neighbors to further discuss the building design and work toward finding mutually agreeable compromises.

Click link to watch: 2nd Public Hearing

To review minutes: 2nd Public Hearing Minutes

On June 10, 2024, from 5:00 to 5:30 PM, we met with our neighbors at 2374 Warren Road in Walnut Creek, CA. During our meeting we shared that, withing a week after hearing our neighbors request, we effectively eliminated parking on Warren Road — a development that our neighbors appreciated. We also discussed how we’re working on reducing the proposed building’s height. We explored an option to relocate the building to the other side weighting it versus our commitment to preserving the garden spaces that are essential for residents with dementia.

Carnelian Expansion Project Meeting Summary

Construction Timeline: We estimate the project will take 18 months to complete once the county issues the necessary permits and we initiate groundbreaking.
Parking Remediation: Our efforts to address parking concerns have been well received by the immediate Carnelian neighborhood. These measures are part of our permanent commitment to the people of our community that will remain.
Listening to neighbors Concerns:
Building Height: Neighbors expressed concern over the building’s height, particularly the inclusion of a second story, noting that most buildings on Warren Road are single-story. They suggested considering a single-story design to better align with the local aesthetic.
Garden Space: We emphasized our hope to maintain the size of the garden which is vital for our residents’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Alternative Locations: Some neighbors proposed constructing the building on another parcel of Carnelian land—either at 2380 Warren Road or 170 Flora Avenue (adjacent to the Flora Apartment buildings). They believe these locations might be more suitable and have offered support for potential variances to make such a project possible.
Public Hearing: Another public hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2024. This session will update the County on our ongoing discussions with our neighbors and our efforts underway to address community concerns and wishes.

We value the input from our neighbors and remain committed to working together as we advance the expansion project.

On our first public hearing, we received feedback from our immediate neighbors regarding daily parking congestion on Warren Road, parking and traffic challenges during our holiday events, and concerns about the proposed building’s height. We acknowledged these issues and are committed to addressing them. Based on these discussions, the Zoning Administrator recommended that we meet with our neighbors to work toward mutually agreeable solutions.

Click link to watch: 1st Public Hearing

To review minutes: 1st Public Hearing Minutes

On May 16, 2024, we received the official review of our proposed expansion project from Contra Costa County - Staff Report. The recommendations in Section II of the Staff Report advises the Zoning Administrator to open a public hearing for our project, gather public testimony, conclude the hearing, and grant approval for our Land Use Permit CDLP23-02046, following the findings and Conditions of Approval outline in the Staff Report.

For further details, please see the full Staff Review here: Contra Costa County Staff Report

In September 2023, we collaborated with HGCI, Inc. to explore options for expanding Carnelian Assisted Living. This effort led to a formal inquiry with Contra Costa County, proposing a building addition to increase resident bed capacity and enhance the services we offer. In October 2023, we shared our preliminary design with the County for evaluation, marking an important step toward realizing our expansion goals.

Where are we now on this project?

The Carnelian

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