What’s Next for Oakmont? A Year of LRPC Planning, Proposals, and Community Feedback
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Oakmont Observer plans to follow the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC), with a goal of keeping the Oakmont community informed about the activities of this important committee, which is responsible for providing the OVA Board with information and advice. This first article is a review of the activities of the past year, derived from LRPC minutes and reports to the OVA Board, to bring you and us up to speed.
Over the past year, the Long-Range Planning Committee has been at the center of discussions about Oakmont’s future — particularly the Central Complex redevelopment. From community town halls and comment cards to financial debates and master planning, the process has been anything but simple.
As Oakmont residents, we’ve been asked to weigh in on big questions: What kind of community spaces do we need? How much are we willing to invest? What should Oakmont look like in the next 10-20-30 years? The answers, as it turns out, are not as straightforward as some may have hoped.
Here’s a look at what’s happened with the LRPC over the past year and where things might be headed next.
Town Halls, Comment Cards, and Community Feedback
If you’ve been following along, you probably remember the June 27, 2024, Town Hall — the event where ArchiLOGIX (ALX) presented three design concepts for the Central Complex. The presentation covered everything from new fitness and recreation spaces to expanded meeting rooms and administrative offices. While some residents were intrigued by the possibilities, others were very concerned about cost, feasibility, and whether the community actually wanted such large-scale changes.
As a preface to the June Town Hall, in the May 2024 LRPC meeting, user groups provided updates on their priorities for the Central Complex project. These self-selected user groups helped shape the ongoing discussions about how Oakmont’s community spaces should evolve to meet resident needs while balancing cost and feasibility.
The Arts & Education User Group focused on improving technical capabilities and accessibility in existing spaces. Many residents expressed the need for better technology and support for non-technical users in meeting rooms. Additionally, the group proposed creating a “Maker’s Space”, a flexible area that could accommodate card players, quilters, artists, and other creative activities. Given the demand for multipurpose spaces, ensuring the Fitness Center has enough room to serve its mission was also a key consideration.
The Outdoor and Fitness User Group outlined several potential enhancements aimed at expanding recreational options and improving Oakmont’s outdoor experience. These ideas included:
- A half-court basketball area and a new pétanque court.
- A dedicated billiards area, reflecting growing interest in social and recreational activities.
- Restructuring the cabana area by the Central Pool to create a more inviting and functional space.
- Exploring the potential use of part of the greensward for additional community purposes.
- New fitness spaces, including a separate area for group fitness classes.
One of the most significant recommendations was the idea of a walkable, landscaped park with outdoor restrooms and a designated walking loop. This would allow residents to safely meander on sidewalks and streets, providing a space for both exercise and social interaction. The group also suggested improved signage throughout Oakmont, including the potential use of electronic signs to better communicate community updates.
The Indoor User Group focused on the need for more flexible and adaptive spaces. There is ongoing demand for larger meeting areas, particularly during prime-time hours, which often leads to scheduling conflicts. To address this, the group considered relocating some CAC activities to other rec centers or even renting additional spaces.
Other priorities included:
- The creation of a space that can accommodate at least 50 people for meetings.
- Ensuring that spaces are adaptable to changing community needs 30 years into the future.
According to the LRPC, this reflects a forward-thinking approach to planning, ensuring that Oakmont’s facilities remain useful and relevant as demographic needs shift over time.
The Administration User Group focused on OVA’s property use and operational needs. A major point of discussion was whether OVA should lease or own future spaces, considering the financial implications of each approach. The group recommended that OVA prioritize using community-owned property rather than relying on rented spaces, which can be costly and limit flexibility.
Another topic was the Maintenance Building, which currently sits in a highly visible area of the Central Complex. The group suggested exploring options for relocating this facility to a less central area, allowing the proposed walkable landscape to be developed without obstruction.
Key Takeaways from the User Group Reports
The June 2024 meeting highlighted several common themes among user groups:
- Flexibility and adaptability – Spaces should be multi-functional and able to serve diverse community needs over time.
- Balance between modernization and expansion – Some groups prioritized improving existing facilities, while others advocated for new spaces.
- Outdoor and wellness enhancements – Interest in walkable parks, fitness areas, and social gathering spaces is growing.
- Financial responsibility – There was strong awareness of cost considerations, with some groups suggesting alternative funding options to avoid large dues increases.
These reports then provided a critical foundation for the Town Hall discussion on June 27, 2024, where the community was invited to weigh in on the proposed concepts from ArchiLOGIX.
The Big Question: How Will We Pay For It?
Based on the June 10, 2024, LRPC meeting minutes, the Finance Task Force includes:
- Matt Oliver – OVA Board Liaison to the Finance Task Force
- Jess Marzak – LRPC Member
- Jim Munger – Task Force Member
Additionally, former OVA Treasurer Elke Strunka was involved in reviewing reserves, and the task force planned to meet with representatives from the Sonoma Community Foundation to explore funding opportunities.
Their primary focus has been identifying alternative funding sources, including grants, donations, and potential bond options, while also analyzing OVA’s reserve funds and long-term financial sustainability.
What’s Next? 2025 and Beyond
- The LRPC will present its Census and New Resident Survey findings, offering insights into Oakmont’s changing demographics.
- A potential town hall may be held to update residents on the Master Plan and funding discussions.
- Throughout 2025 – The focus will be on financial feasibility studies, refining cost estimates, and evaluating phased implementation strategies.
With new LRPC members and an evolving Board, the coming year will be critical in determining what parts of the Central Complex plan move forward, what gets scaled back, and how everything is paid for.
The community has still not received any data or information on the ArchiLOGIX concept cost modeling report, despite that contract having been completed last year.
Final Thoughts
The past year has been a period of intense discussion and planning, but big decisions are still ahead for the OVA Board of Directors as they evaluate the ArchiLOGIX Cost Modeling Report. What happens next depends on continued community input, financial realities, and the willingness of leadership to listen and adjust.
For Oakmont residents, the key takeaway is this: Nothing is set in stone yet. If you care about the future of Oakmont’s facilities, now is the time to stay informed, ask questions, and make your voice heard.
Stay tuned. 2025 is shaping up to be another important year for Oakmont’s long-range planning.
Addendum: Central Area Complex Planning Updates
Based on LRPC Quarterly Reports to the Board
Time Period Covered: January 2024 – December 2024
This addendum provides additional details derived from the quarterly reports submitted by the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) to the Board, summarizing key developments in the Central Area Complex planning process throughout 2024.
1. Central Area Complex Planning: From Concepts to Master Plan
Early 2024: Gathering Input and Concept Development
- January – May 2024: The LRPC engaged User Groups to assess community needs and priorities for the Central Complex.
- May 2024: ArchiLOGIX (ALX) collaborated with the LRPC to refine three preliminary design concepts, incorporating feedback from user groups.
- June 10, 2024: The LRPC prepared for the June 27, 2024, Town Hall, where ALX would present three proposed design concepts to the community.
Mid-2024: Community Feedback and Refinement
- June 27, 2024: The Town Hall presentation introduced ALX’s designs, prompting community discussions about feasibility, cost, and necessity.
- July 8–26, 2024: The Design Center at the CAC displayed the ALX proposals, allowing residents to review plans and submit written feedback.
- August 26, 2024: Mitch Conner of ALX met with the LRPC to review resident feedback and discuss next steps, including narrowing options and beginning cost modeling.
Late 2024: Shift Toward a Master Plan Approach
- September 9, 2024: The LRPC moved away from evaluating individual ALX concepts and instead focused on developing a phased Master Plan, allowing for incremental improvements based on financial realities.
- December 16, 2024: The LRPC confirmed that ALX’s contract was complete, concluding their role in the planning process.
2. Financial Considerations and Task Force Updates
Funding Challenges and Cost Analysis
- The Finance Task Force was actively engaged in assessing funding sources, including reserve funds, grants, and possible financing options.
- Discussions on cost transparency and financial feasibility remained a primary concern in quarterly reports.
- By the end of 2024, no firm financial commitments had been made, reflecting a cautious approach to long-term investment in the Central Area Complex.
This addendum, based on LRPC quarterly reports from January – December 2024, provides a detailed record of planning developments for the Central Area Complex as reported in quarterly reports to the board. As Oakmont moves into 2025, fiscal responsibility, community input, and phased development will be at the forefront of discussions.
Sources:
- LRPC Meeting Minutes for meetings throughout 2024
- LRPC quarterly reports to the OVA board, which may be found in the February, June, September and December “Board Agenda & Resolution Packets”, which are all linked from this OVA web page.
Why do we need 2 golf courses both of which have been losing money from the start back in Sept. 2020? Let’s turn one golf course into a park for Oakmonters to enjoy all the time and have space left over for future development for Oakmonters.
The ongoing maintenance of a park would be a very expensive proposition. With a golf course, fees are generated to (hopefully) cover these costs. And, the two courses together create more opportunity for Corsco to bring the golf operation into the black.