FULLERTON : Low-Income Housing Decision Delayed
A decision on whether to allow a controversial apartment project for low-income tenants in the southwest end of town has been delayed by the City Council until July 5.
Council members received a fax this week from the city of Buena Park, urging them to delay a vote on the 108-unit proposal while that city studies the potential effect of such housing on residents, whose homes border the proposed project site.
The vacant four acres where the apartment would be built is on the north side of Valencia Drive, west of Magnolia Avenue.
Some 70 project opponents attended the two-hour hearing Tuesday night. About 12 people who live next to the site complained that it would attract criminals, invade privacy, increase crime, overcrowd area schools and devalue their homes.
Many of the project’s critics, however, conceded that the neighborhood is already in trouble and has been decaying for years. They said they fear affordable housing would only accelerate the decline.
“We have so many problems, we really can’t handle any more,” resident Pete Blanchard said. He said about 100 of his neighbors signed a petition opposing the affordable housing plan.
“How can we inflict upon ourselves these pockets of instant slums?” resident Vic Bangle added.
But the developers, KD Housing Partners and Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group Inc., said the apartment complex would provide “decent affordable housing that is appropriate for the community.”
“The project will add quality to the area,” said Jay Kuhne, a project manager.
Michael A. Costa, president of Kaufman & Broad, said the $12-million project would include the two- and three-story stucco apartment complex, a gated entry, underground utilities and decorative masonry walls along property lines.
Half the units would be restricted for families with low incomes. Rents would range from $402 to $900 a month.
Costa said the project’s critics are stereotyping the people who would move into the apartments.
“I think that there’s a misconception about this project,” Costa said. “It’s sad that this project has the connotation of being a project that would produce crime. . . . It isn’t low-income projects that produce crime, it’s lack of management that ends up creating deteriorating properties.”
He said managers would live on the property and make sure the place is maintained and meets city requirements. The city would be able to monitor management at the complex.
Should the council approve the project, the Redevelopment Agency would consider loaning the developers $1.6 million and the developers would have to keep 53 units affordable for up to 99 years, city officials said.
