Zoning Thwarts Housing Project

A zoning restriction has stalled plans to build a 46-unit affordable-housing development in west Anaheim, but developers say they’ve far from given up on the project.

Nonprofit developer Mercy Charities Housing California says it won’t turn away from trying to alleviate a shortage of affordable housing in Anaheim. The restriction may prevent the construction of two-, three- and four-bedroom townhomes on a 1.9-acre Lincoln Avenue empty lot because no more than 13 units may be built per acre.

Mercy Charities cannot afford to go along with the density requirements if it wants to build affordable housing. Instead, it will search for other sites, said Dara Kovel, associate director of housing development.

“We need to create more units on land than a market-rate developer would,” Kovel said. “The overall cost goes down and we turn that affordability over to the residents.”

The zoning law on Lincoln Avenue came as a surprise to Mercy Charities personnel who have worked with city staff since September to thwart bureaucratic problems. Mercy Charities had hoped to have the project approved by the Planning Commission on June 5, but only a few days before the meeting, staff informed them of the restriction.

“We were very disappointed to find out this was in existence. We may not have even pursued the property,” Kovel said.

Despite the setback, Kovel said Mercy Charities will continue its commitment to create housing for families who make below 50% of Orange County’s median income.

“Anaheim has the second-largest number of units that need to be created in Orange County over the next five years,” said Kovel, referring to figures put together this year by the Southern California Assn. of Governments. SCAG estimated that Anaheim needs 11,508 new homes by 2005, with 38% designated as low and very-low income.

But Kovel admitted that finding a property with both the right price and zoning requirements may not be easy. Orange County real estate prices are at a premium and Anaheim has zoned most lots for low or medium density, she said.

Concerned about crime and property values, neighbors also often object to high-density housing, said Kovel. The West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council opposed Mercy Charities’ proposal.

“We just feel we have enough high-density housing,” said WAND’s Chairwoman Esther Wallace. Wallace said WAND would support affordable senior housing, but the organization prefers home ownership to help balance the area’s abundance of apartments.

Kovel said Mercy Charities’ project is different from many other high-density housing properties. Mercy Charities has built over 3,000 affordable units in California, and they are well-managed and have such amenities as community and day care centers, she said.

Nevertheless, “in Anaheim, no matter what site we choose, there will be a good amount of controversy,” Kovel said. “We’re looking for the least amount of controversy, but a good housing site for future residents.”

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988.