Ground Broken on Gold Creek Estates

After several years of stops and starts, the Gold Creek Estates subdivision near Valley Springs is finally taking shape. Developer Ryan Voorhees is building 385 homes in three phases, along with a recreation area and small commercial center on Highway 26 just north of La Contenta.

Phase I will include 132 homes along Cosgrove Creek as well as the common area with a clubhouse, tennis courts and a swimming pool. Phase II will add 80 more homes on rolling hills overlooking the other parcels.

Described as an upper-end subdivision, Gold Creek Estates will be a gated community. Lots will be about 6,000 square feet with homes ranging from 1,400 to 3,000 square feet, and all parcels will have golf cart paths in back, connecting to paths at La Contenta Golf Course.

Rather than selling just the lots, Voorhees company, CRV Enterprises, will build the houses for the subdivision, offering about six different models. “We´ll try to start at $250,000 and then go on up,” Voorhees said.

Crews are putting in the water, sewer and storm drain lines and will start on the “dry utilities” — telephone, electricity and natural gas — in about three weeks.

“This may be optimistic, but our goal is to start some models in October,” Voorhees said, adding they could finish their first homes after January 1.

The project has been through several other hands. Voorhees noted the project map was originally approved in 1986. Market conditions weren´t quite right because the development costs were kind of high, Voorhees said, but he decided the time was now right, and purchased the project last fall.

Read more about this story and other Calaveras news at The Calaveras Enterprise