PLACENTIA : Kraemers’ New Project Is Approved

The Kraemer family, which once farmed much of the land that is now occupied by the city’s residential areas, has won approval for another housing development.

The City Council this week gave Paul Kraemer, a fifth-generation descendant of Placentia pioneer Daniel Kraemer, permission to build 173 homes on 23 acres south of Alta Vista Street between Central Avenue and Rose Drive. The land, adjacent to the Alta Vista Golf Course, was used for years to grow citrus.

Councilman Norman Z. Eckenrode cast the only vote against the project, saying the density would be too high and the quality too low.

“I’m not against development near the golf course. I’m upset because this could have been the crown jewel of north Orange County,” Eckenrode said.

The homes, intended to sell for about $250,000, will not compare to others nearby that bring $400,000 and more, Eckenrode said.

But architect John Chapman, whose Newport Beach company is planning the residential project for the Kraemer family, told council members at Tuesday’s meeting that the real estate market already has a glut of expensive homes.

Eckenrode also objected to a narrow turning radius on some cul-de-sacs in the planned development, which he said would require some homeowners to transport their trash cans about 40 yards from their homes for pickup.