July 9, 2026 —From Vision to Design: The Power of Listening First
Humboldt Commons is taking shape in McKinleyville, California. This new project is a partnership between Life Plan Humboldt, the local board of directors who founded Humboldt Commons, and The Kendal Corporation. Seven years ago, the vision for Humboldt Commons was born. It started as a grassroots effort among friends – who would later become the board of Life Plan Humboldt – who recognized they wanted to remain in the area living among friends as they aged. Unlike other senior living communities, collaboration on design planning began early in the process. Design partner LSW Architects, alongside TKC Director of Development Laura Hester, initiated a values-driven process called Story Form that places listening at the center before design begins.
The vision for Humboldt Commons itself was born from the Life Plan Humboldt board’s grassroot, community-wide effort to listen and understand what neighbors in the area wanted to see in a senior living community. To incorporate this collaborative spirit early into the design of the facilities that would one day make the community was authentic to its roots.
Life Plan Humboldt brought this effort to the table when they started the design process. The members of the development team worked alongside Life Plan Humboldt to undertake Story Form, an intensive discovery process to develop a collaborative narrative that captures what matters most before design decisions are locked in.
Story Form clarifies non-negotiables—the things that stakeholders won’t compromise on—and identifies where choices must be made. For Humboldt Commons, that meant building design around what the board valued most, rather than trying to fit priorities into a design afterward. This clarity shapes how Kendal talks about the community, how sales teams engage with prospective residents and how the community markets itself. The renderings that follow show what listening produces.
“The process of Story Form was introduced to us by the team at LSW, and we were thrilled to see a defined process for listening and discovery early in the design process,” says Laura Hester, TKC’s Director of Development. “This is absolutely crucial to ensure we are meeting everyone’s vision and non-negotiables from the start.”
Ann Lindsay, President of Life Plan Humboldt’s Board, reflects on the partnership: “Working alongside LSW and Kendal has brought some new ideas and structured planning to the Life Plan Humboldt board, and we’re excited for what’s next in making this community a reality.”
Where We Stand
The community will be licensed as a Life Plan Community through the California Department of Social Services. Since launching the Priority Reservation program in late January 2026, Humboldt Commons has attracted more than 245 priority deposits. Two team members work on-site full-time–Kyle Salamon, Lead Sales Partner, and Elizabeth Lachman, Marketing Coordinator–building relationships and answering questions about the emerging community.
Timeline goals:
July 2026: Receive approval to take 10% Reservation Deposits
November 2026: Secure 70% pre-sales on the 109 homes
January 2027: Secure permanent financing through Ziegler Investment Banking
February 2027: Groundbreaking and construction start
2029: Welcome residents
Partners include LSW Architects, local builder Pacific Builders, Varsity Marketing, and the Moving Made Easy program through Moving Station.
A Distinctive Approach
“We’re thrilled with the results at Humboldt Commons, demonstrating what the board at Life Plan Humboldt knew from the start—that this type of community will serve Humboldt County well,” says Vassar Byrd, CEO of The Kendal Corporation. “The dedication of the Life Plan Humboldt board and many volunteers working alongside the TKC team is what will make this community a special place for generations to come.”
Vision Takes Shape
The renderings offer an early look at what Story Form translated into design—spaces for gathering and solitude, buildings nestled into the landscape, pathways that honor the natural environment and cottages designed with both efficiency and beauty.
The “Wetlands” provides walking paths, an unleashed dog park, and green space[AL1] . The “Outdoor Living Room” includes pavilion space for resident performances and fire tables for cooler Northern California evenings. Each cottage, like the Heron two-bedroom, maximizes livable space while minimizing wasted hallway space—with large common areas, generous bedrooms, abundant storage, and covered porches with double-height windows.
The main entrance, marked by the hummingbird—Humboldt Commons’ symbol representing the years of work that brought this vision to life–will open onto Hiller Road in McKinleyville, with a generous porte-cochere for drop-offs.
What’s Next
We anticipate receiving state approval for 10% deposits this July. From there, the path forward is guided by the Life Plan Humboldt vision and Story Form findings. This is how Kendal grows: with intention, with partnership and with respect for the communities we serve.
