Controversial Project Near Swim Club Abandoned

A controversial 47-unit housing project that would have stripped most of the parking from the Nadadores Swim Club and a YMCA has been scuttled by the developer.

Unable to win concessions to exceed city standards for housing density, project developer Polygon Communities has returned the Casta Del Sol property to its previous owner, the Mission Viejo Co.

Under the Mission Viejo Co., the 9.2-acre parcel near Casta del Sol and Marguerite Parkway had been approved for 27 units.

Irvine-based Polygon Communities proposed building an extra 20 units, decreasing the average lot size to 3,200 square feet. The minimum city standard is 5,000 square feet.

The project was turned down by the Planning Commission, then appealed to the City Council in January. Council members rejected the appeal. The project was dropped in recent weeks.

Polygon officials did not return phone calls for comment, but city officials speculated that the smaller housing tract would not yield a high profit. Mission Viejo Co. officials confirmed the transaction but declined further comment.

The project also drew fire from the Nadadores Swim Club and the adjacent YMCA, which would have lost about 77 of 137 parking spaces.

Both groups lease facilities from the city and were unaware that the parking lot didn’t come with the buildings. Both said the loss of parking would severely hamper their programs.

Swim team coach Bill Rose said the news about the project’s demise was temporary relief.

“It’s kind of like taking an aspirin and the headache is gone,” he said. “At least whoever [the Mission Viejo Co.] sells it to next, they’ll realize that there is a potential problem here” with the parking.