Palo Alto-based SummerHill Homes has completed 21 of the 83-unit single-family detached townhomes at Foxworthy Avenue and Old Almaden Road. The project, which comprises almost six acres, was designed to fit approximately 16 units per acre.

The complex, called Ravenna, is made up of three types of two-story models, a mix of Spanish, Monterey and French Cottage style­architecture. The homes range in size from 1,489 to 1,712 square feet. Prices start at just under $500,000.

Even though the project had its grand opening April 12, several of the units were sold, sight unseen, after buyers reviewed the floor plans, said Ravenna's community sales manager, Nannette Chapman.

SummerHill representatives said they had considered creating a denser project but chose to build an 83-unit development after completing zoning and demographic studies for a medium-density area.

Nancy Fast, director of marketing for SummerHill, said that Ravenna homebuyers will range from couples in their 20s with young children to couples in their 50s.

Across the street, in the Evergreen at the Willows housing complex, some neighbors see the new development as progress. Residents say it would have been worse if the land gone to another car dealership. Ravenna and the 950 single-family attached units at the Evergreen at the Willows are very close to the Capital Expressway Auto Mall.

Joyce Steiner, who has lived in Evergreen's Rubino Circle for three years, said she was involved in public hearings with the San Jose Planning Commission to share concerns about a project designed with too many units or a retail business approved for the area.

"It would have been terrible," Steiner said. "We much preferred housing because another car dealership would have been too much."

Steiner's neighbor Osman Gralp said that Ravenna's proximity to his neighborhood can only help.

"I think it looks better than a car dealership or another shopping center," he said.

A few blocks away on Brunnetti Drive, Lena Hernandez said she sees both the pros and cons of another housing development.

"I can see how more homes could increase my property values," she said. "But I've also noticed that traffic has increased on Foxworthy since they began building."

Fast said that all of Ravenna's units should be completed by the end of the year.

In marketing Ravenna to potential homebuyers, SummerHill boasts the complex's easy access to downtown Willow Glen, to downtown San Jose and to highways 87 and 85.

And apparently the developer had little difficulty in convincing the city to build Ravenna where it did.

"San Jose is a pleasure to work with," said Roger Menard, president of SummerHill Homes. "I've worked with San Jose for more than 25 years."

Other SummerHill Homes communities in San Jose are Georgetown on The Alameda and Bella Monte in the Evergreen foothills, near Aborn and San Felipe roads.

We're very proud of Ravenna," Menard said. "It's the right combination of price and location and serves as a great solution to a difficult piece of property."

SummerHill needed to build on an area zoned for planned development, but it's directly north of an area zoned general commercial, which is dominated by retailers and car dealerships.

"I almost feel sorry for anyone who buys there," Steiner said. "They've got a great view of the car dealership."

Unlike the Willows project, which has a park-like setting with a playground, large, grassy field and basketball courts, Ravenna was a much smaller project for six undeveloped acres that were originally meant to serve as a parking lot for dealership cars.

"We wanted more open space, but we needed to conform to the city's density requirements and also keep pricing low," Menard said.

Most SummerHill projects are priced closer to the half-million dollar range and above. This project is considered at the lower price end, Menard said. "Other homes in SummerHill developments can go up to $3 million."

But for the price, a Ravenna house contains many amenities, Menard said. The homes have two-car garages, gourmet kitchens, and features such as cable television wiring in all bedrooms and family rooms and "cultured" marble sink tops in the bathrooms.