Council OKs Scaled-Down Housing Project
The developer of a controversial condominium complex, having placated neighbors’ demands to scale back the project, convinced the City Council this week to reverse its rejection of the housing development.
Council members, satisfied that the revised project will not cause undue noise or traffic problems, unanimously approved the 4-acre complex west of Talbert Avenue and Beach Boulevard.
During public hearings last fall before the council and the city Planning Commission, dozens of residents rallied in vehement opposition to the proposed development, voicing concerns that it would dramatically upset their relatively serene neighborhood. The council heeded their pleas during a hearing last November and rejected the proposal on a 4-2 vote.
Opponents of the project have now voiced their support for the new version of the proposal, saying their concerns had been met.
The approved plan calls for 92 units, consisting of 50 townhouses and 42 apartments, whereas the original proposal included 132 apartments. Opponents had urged that townhouses be introduced because they believed that they would attract the type of neighbors they sought.
Additionally, the new version limits building heights to two stories, revising an earlier plan for three-story buildings. The street setback was also increased to 40 feet from 20 feet, open space was expanded and the buildings’ architectural style was modified to reflect the look most favored by the neighbors.
Council members said their only remaining concern is including more affordable housing units in the project. Developer Bijan Sassounian said that by scaling down the proposal, he was forced to omit most of the affordable units from the plan.
But, because the city Redevelopment Agency owns 0.8 of an acre of the site, it may be able to offer financial incentives to include more affordable housing in the project. Agency officials said that they are still studying those options and that the development probably will include at least 18 units for affordable-housing buyers.
