Carmel Valley planning board approves updated Gables project plans

SDJAAlthough the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board has previously approved the plans for the proposed Gables Residential townhomes on Carmel Creek Road, the board had to review and approve a few architectural and land use changes at its Oct. 27 meeting. The 92-complex development is planned for a 5.22-acre site on Carmel Creek, across from the San Diego Jewish Academy and received a unanimous thumbs up from the board.

In building on the site, 25 percent of which is in the Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA), a protected area for native species, the developers will restore 1.6 acres of disturbed habitat both on site and off site at Soledad Canyon in the Sorrento Valley area.

The architecture of the project draws from California ranch and mission styles, said Michael Yanicelli of Gables.

“The facades are pretty simplistic, the details come in the quality of the materials,” Yanicelli said, noting they plan to use will be exposed wood, real stone and wrought-iron.

The buildings will terrace up the hill and will not negatively obstruct views from the Carmel Valley Restoration Enhancement Project (CVREP) trail.

Yanicelli of Gables said they hope the project will be approved at the city planning commission in January and break ground in a year.