Construction of 16 Luxury Homes OKd

An Orange developer has received city approval to build 16 luxury houses on Villa Park’s largest piece of undeveloped residential property.

The City Council this week voted 4 to 1 to allow construction of the homes, priced at about $1 million each, on the 10-acre hilltop parcel once owned by singer Jose Feliciano.

Councilwoman Patricia L. Bortle cast the lone dissenting vote, citing complaints by residents that the 31 1/2-foot height of some of the homes at Lemon Street and Mesa Drive might block views.

“When I heard the voice of the people who live around there that they don’t want tall homes, I had to vote against it,” Bortle said.

The council decided that only four homes can be up to 31 1/2 feet high and the remaining ones 30 feet or under. The developer had requested a maximum of 31 1/2 feet on all lots.

But the developer, Heritage Communities President Mark Jacobs, said he never intended to build all the homes that high.

The ocean-view homes will vary in height and design, Jacobs said. Homes will range in size from 4,300 to 5,200 square feet.

Construction will start in October, with the first homes completed by spring, Jacobs said.