SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Senior Housing Plan Vote Is Postponed

The City Council has postponed for two weeks a decision on plans for a 112-unit seniors-only apartment complex at Ortega Highway and Rancho Viejo Road.

The delay this week was caused by a failure by the city to give public hearing notification to all adjacent property owners.

But the proposed apartment complex, which would be built by Kaufman & Broad, received City Council support that clears the way for $1.55 million of tax-exempt financing through the state.

In return, the project’s owners would reserve 92 of the 112 units for low-income seniors. The $1.55 million would be paid back over 30 years.

Receiving the money hinges on the apartment complex winning final approval of the council, which is scheduled to meet on Oct. 3.

Among other things, the 3.2-acre project requires a zoning change for a portion that includes a single-family house.

The project has drawn some opposition.

Merchants with businesses in the Capistrano Collection shopping center, next to the proposed apartment complex, said they want the land used for commercial purposes.

The city’s zoning code allows the land to be used for the senior apartments or commercial purposes, Planning Director Tom Tomlinson said.

Under a recently adopted city housing plan, residential projects may be granted higher densities for making units available for low-income tenants.