CreekSide Village (55+)

The community of Creekside Village was constructed on land intended for use as a golf course. When one wanders through its scenic open spaces and common areas it is clear that if built as intended it would have been a magnificent place to play.

Its name, Creekside Village, is derived from Roger’s Creek, which traverses the development and forms the northern border between it and the neighboring community of Temelec, from which the land was acquired. This small, seasonal stream once flowed year-round, and provided the water supply for the estate constructed by Captain Swift in 1858 at 220 Temelec Circle.

Construction and planning for the community was provided by Fisher Development , Inc., with the first phase being constructed near the clubhouse 156 Avenida Barbera. The first reported sales occurred in 1981, with multiple building phases extending to 1989 as the development moved toward the western hills.

The homes built in Creekside Village represented an ongoing evolution of urban planning and interior design, similar, yet differing from those offered within Temelec, which was one of California’s first adult communities.

The Temelec community was constructed by several builders, yet kept true to a vision and land use plan known as the “The Atomic Ranch” style of architecture. Classic western ranch style design was updated and reflected the needs of growing families. Room sizes increased, an additional bathroom was provided in the master bedroom, rooflines were low pitched, and window size and use increased throughout the home. Today we commonly refer to such homes as being “Mid-Century Modern”, especially when encountered in their original, as built, condition. The term has become a cliché from over use and has lost most of its descriptive power.

Community design in this era encouraged retention of open space areas for recreational use and esthetics. In Temelec, one’s rear property line would be within open space landscape easements designed to minimize homeowner maintenance responsibilities, while providing a uniform, homeowner association maintained, appearance throughout.

Creekside Village kept the best of these new approaches, and drew further inspiration from the homes which were designed by Joseph Eichler and which were built in many northern and southern California communities in the 1950’s and 1960”s.

Design modifications resulted to reflect the realities of a post 70’s energy crisis sensibility matched with the needs to make the homes a better fit with the environment. Sonoma’s clay-like soils made the use of slab foundation construction problematic, while prevailing westerly winds in summer made traditional ranch-style roof overhangs a noise generator.

The solution found by Fisher Brothers is what we see today. Creekside homes featured a high degree of energy efficiency with: ceiling, wall, and flooring insulation; thermo pane windows; all electric kitchens, natural gas heating, and rooflines which combined the use of high A-frame construction, and flat roofs without traditional eves. The latter provided vaulted living areas for the living and dining areas, while the reminder of the home was more efficient to heat, cool, and construct.

Other Eichler influences include the attempt to ‘Bring the Outside In” through the use of interior atrium rooms in two of the four original floor plans used. While the homes did not feature much in the way of windows facing the street in true Eichler fashion, walls of glass often accompanied the living rooms with their distinctive vaulted ceilings, skylights, and views of attached patios and decks. The desire to adhere to an exterior façade with clean geometric lines is maintained, but significantly differs from what one would call a true “Eichler Home”.

That being said, the Creekside Village development represents a solid attempt to create a diverse planned community with integrated parks, open space, and community centers inspired by one of America’s most famous real estate developers.

In all there are some 313 homes in the Creekside Village development which share in the use of 29 acres of community common areas and open space parks. The community clubhouse features two tennis courts, a heated swimming pool, and a clubhouse with meeting rooms, library, exercise room, spa, and association offices. Throughout the community you will find paved and lighted walking paths which connect residents to one another and the beautiful common areas they share.

As the original brochure proclaimed back in 1981 – You’ll love your life in Creekside Village.