FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Townhouse Project’s Foes Protest Density

Opponents of a 140-townhouse proposal are gearing up to protest the project’s density at tonight’s public hearing before the Planning Commission.

“We think the densities are too high,” resident Jim Sowell said. “. . . We are asking for no more than five homes per acre, that’s a total of 43 on that 8.6-acre site.”

The dispute involves concerns over traffic, noise and problems that could result, opponents argue, if the current proposal is approved. The site, known as Lighthouse Lane, is at the northeast corner of Talbert Avenue and Newland Street, next to the Greenbrook neighborhood, where most of the protesters live in single-family homes.

Opponents have also argued against the partnership between the developer and the Fountain Valley School District, which expects to realize $12 million as its share of the townhouse sales profits.

The school district sold the surplus property in 1989 for $9.6 million and expects to close escrow in August, pending project approval. The sale of the land and the joint venture are part of the district’s plan to raise revenue.

But residents opposing the partnership contend that the district stands to lose money, pocketing just one-third of the profits.

“We’re not opposed to the school district selling their site or realizing money from it,” Sowell said, “but we don’t want them to stick themselves with an unrealistic project that is not based on market realities and is incompatible with the surrounding areas.”

The Planning Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 10200 Slater Ave.