Housing Project Vote Delayed Over Density

A plan to put 28 homes, some of which would be for low-income residents, on a 2.6-acre parcel is on hold after some City Council members said this week that the project would be too dense.

Olson Co., a Seal Beach-based developer, had proposed the project for a property at Birch Street and Poplar Avenue, which the city’s Redevelopment Agency bought, officials said, because of its overcrowded and deteriorating houses.

Council members delayed voting on the proposal because of concerns over limited street parking and open space. Officials said they would meet with Olson officials to discuss other options.

“Just to get affordable housing by [sacrificing] some elements of a livable community doesn’t make sense,” Councilman Glenn G. Parker said.

However, Mayor Burnie Dunlap urged the council to support the proposal: “This is a superior project above apartments and condominiums. And it’s a dramatic improvement over what we had there.”