A local developer has put forward plans for a three-story, 32-unit condominium building located at the northwest corner of Harbor Blvd and Hermosa Dr, prompting concerns from nearby residents. The proposed development includes 25 three-bedroom units, which residents argue would overwhelm the predominantly single-story neighborhood.
Community members expressed their desire for a more balanced approach to housing density, stating they are not opposed to new developments but are advocating for a more reasonable scale. The use of the “Builders Remedy” by the developer, which permits the project to bypass certain state regulations, has raised further alarm among locals.
In response to the proposed project, residents have gathered 166 signatures on petitions urging the city to reconsider the development’s size. This petition was presented to the city clerk during the city council meeting on May 6.
To address community concerns, the Mayor has announced plans to host a meeting at city hall, facilitating a dialogue between the developer and the residents. The meeting is expected to take place in early June, providing a platform for open discussion regarding the future of the development.
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Categories: Community Voices, Local News
I can understand residents’ fears, but they seem misguided. A 3-story building is not tall at all. North Fullerton needs to lift its weight with regarding to sharing the burden of housing density. Not everyone can live in single family homes. We are in desperate need of larger units like these, which will likely invite families, as well as seniors looking to downgrade. Currently extremely few non-SFH options exist for this demographic.
Single-family homes are the most environmentally destructive form of housing and have variety of knock-on effects, such as increasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), promoting sprawl, using more energy for AC due to walls not being shared, requiring more water for lawns, increasing the risk of homelessness due to housing costs, and many more.
Buildings like these can be built to be beautiful and can fit in well aesthetically with surrounding homes.
I am tired of ‘neighborhood character’ being weaponized against progressive housing projects that would actually improve our communities, combat climate change, and provide the types of housing options we desperately need.
If you look at the lot size, i don’t see how ot is feasible to locate a 32 unit complex with many 3 bed homes and associated parking demands in that specific location. The lot is large for a sfh but tiny for a 32 unit complex
While this is a valid argument in some areas, it does not quite fit in this instance. For starters, throwing up non-SFH options in random areas, such as this development, take away from neighborhood charm and differentiation. What you are saying, almost promotes “cookie cutter” neighborhoods, where those fortunate enough to afford homes that can have exterior space and personality, must conform the housing needs of others. In my opinion, there are several other cities that are more well equipped for non-SFH options. You do not work hard to be able to own a large lot such as the ones in an area like Fullerton, just to then be subject to a multi-unit townhome complex to be dropped in, in the name of more “affordable housing”.
This development does not have to do with housing density, nor does it have to do with any environmental issues being remedied. This is a large scale developer, trying to make the most out of the $4m purchase of a double lot in North OC. I promise you, the CEO of said development firm would be up in arms if a 30+ unit townhome complex were to be built next to their South OC beach home. Nobody moves to Orange County with the dream of living next to 3-story condos.
Furthermore, in regards to environmentally destructive housing forms, remember that the more population dense an area is, the more resources they require. So for the one home that currently resides on this lot, the new development residents will now require roughly 30 times more resources such as water, gas, power, not to mention the impact of a 2 car per family average. This is not to even dive into other details such as traffic density, and the possible auto accidents that may arise.
With respect to your stance, I strongly disagree.
I don’t think there is much you can do about it. The Builders Remedy was a sort of threat held over the heads of cities to get them to submit acceptable housing plans.
Fullerton’s plan was way late, and some Fullerton homeowners are now suffering the consequences off this tardy submission. There is another one on E. Commonwealth where a single family home was entirely torn down to build a multiunit structure right next to historic homes.
There is a concerted effort on the part of developers and lawmakers to remake housing policy across the state to allow for higher density housing right next to single family homes, under the guise of housing unaffordability, a condition partially driven by developer/investment housing itself.
A prime example of this state driven destruction of neighborhoods is SB 607, which rolls back California’s landmark Environmental Quality Act. https://pcl.org/current-legislation/sb-607-action-alert/?blm_aid=44966
Good luck.