FULLERTON : Council Approves Apartment Project

A controversial apartment project for low-income tenants was approved by the City Council this week despite opposition from city residents.

The council voted 3 to 2 for the project, with council members Julie Sa and Chris Norby dissenting. As part of the plan, the city Redevelopment Agency will loan the developers, KD Housing Partners and Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group Inc., $1.6 million toward the $12-million project.

Norby said he voted against the nonprofit project because it will not have to pay Fullerton property taxes. He and Sa also objected to the $1.6-million loan, although both liked the project’s design.

“I don’t think it’s a good deal for the city,” Norby said. “I think somebody is going to make a great deal of money off it and . . . this is going to take the property permanently off the property tax rolls. The city will be denied about $17,000 per year.”

Mayor A.B. (Buck) Catlin, however, called it a “quality” project, saying, “You can’t build a project today without some public-private participation.”

Michael A. Costa, president of Kaufman & Broad, said construction of the project will begin in October and be finished in September, 1995.

About a dozen people who live near the vacant four-acre project site on the north side of Valencia Drive, west of Magnolia Avenue, said they want condominiums there instead of the 108-unit apartment complex.

One resident, W. Snow Hume said crime would rise because “illegal aliens” would live there.

Other residents said the project would enhance the area, which is deteriorating and already crime-ridden.

Police officials said they do not expect crime to increase unless the landlord does not make sure the property is maintained.

Costa said managers will live on the property to make sure the complex is maintained and meets city requirements.