Seeing growth for miles at Vineyards

Photo by Michael Woodward, Reporter

EASY DOES IT: Owner of Sanderson Communities Sandy Sanderson (right) and Vice President of Development Roger White (left) expect to build the Vineyards, a 2,500-acre development with 5,500 units, over a 20-year span.

Although no homes have yet been sold in the Vineyards development, developer Sandy Sanderson, owner of Sanderson Communities, said he expects to see people occupying twelve of the houses this August. The twelve houses are currently under construction.

Anderson’s annexation of the county property could take place as early as this winter, according to Scott Morgan, Anderson City Manager.

“The annexation is the last part of the land planning process,” Morgan said.

Sanderson said he plans to “take it easy” with the development. He expects about 65 homes to be finished this winter and then to build about 200-300 units a year. The entire project is expected to yield 5,500 units and should take 20 years to complete.

“The biggest mistake is selling off land too quickly,” Sanderson said.

“You lose control of the quality of a project,” said V.P. of Development Roger White about the dangers of building too fast.

It’s also more lucrative to go slowly. White pointed out that the value of such a development would be highest towards the completion of the project for a variety of reasons. A new house in a fully developed community would be worth more than at the development’s relatively barren beginnings. Also, the value of houses goes up in time.

The value of a single-family detached unit at the Vineyards would begin at $500,000, although some less expensive, medium-density housing would be available.

The development of 5,500 units would eventually contain and pay for a school and a $15 million dollar community center. Both improvements would be open to anyone in Shasta county.

“We would need about 250-300 students before we could justify occupying an elementary school,” White said.

White said that the community center is about four years away. It would be funded through a community facilities district, and as such would rely on the amount of Vineyards residents paying into the district.

Sanderson described how the Vineyards, a 2,500-acre development, would be highly amenitized with just over two houses per acre.

“Huge open space and walk-ability are two amenities people want more than anything,” Sanderson said.

“We’re only developing one-third of the land,” White said. “Two-thirds of it is untouched, available for families to take a walk or exercise.

Sanderson Communities has developed other residential projects in Grass Valley, CA, and in Washington and Idaho.

“The biggest compliment we could get,” Sanderson said, “is from someone who lives here after 20 years, raises a family and says, ‘What a great experience.”