Latest news with #RegionalHousingNeedsAssessment
Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
New 657-unit development proposed for former Boomers site in Fountain Valley
When Fountain Valley found out it would have to plan for thousands of housing units by the end of the decade, city staff began putting together a list of locations that could accommodate such projects. The opportunity sites, as they have been called, would provide land for projects to help the community reach its mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment, under which the state tasked Fountain Valley with adding 4,839 units by 2029. A large-scale development has now been proposed at 16800 Magnolia St., the site previously occupied by Boomers, the family amusement center just off the 405 Freeway that provided entertainment such as arcade games, go-karts and miniature golf until June 2020. The proposed project was submitted by Holland Partner Group in March 2024. If approved, the developer would build a total of 657 apartment units in two separate, seven-story buildings. The 6.87-acre site would have vehicular access between the two buildings, courtyards and a public dog park. Amenities at each building would include co-working and fitness areas on the ground floor. The plan also calls for a pool, spa, lounge seating and barbecue areas on the upper level. Additionally, the buildings would provide 4,460-square-feet of commercial or retail space. 'This project has been carefully designed to meet the goals and the requirements outlined in Fountain Valley's general plan, the zoning regulations and the housing element,' said Matt Turk, senior development manager for Holland Partner Group. 'The mixed-use community will deliver much-needed housing alongside vibrant neighborhood retail space and a public dog park.' Planning commissioners took a look at the project during a study session on May 14. Omar Dadabhoy, the city's community development director, said the project is scheduled to return to the commission for a public hearing on June 11. 'There will be a density bonus and affordable housing agreement for the project,' said Steven Ayers, the city's principal planner. 'The project will include 78 deed-restricted low-income units, which is 15% of the base density of the project.' The project, as proposed, would have 95.6 units per acre, using a state density bonus law to achieve that number. If the development did not include affordable housing units, it would have been capped at 515 units. In September 2022, the City Council approved an ordinance that allowed some developments to have up to 75 units per acre. The conditions to qualify for that allowance included having a mixed-use site at least 400 feet away from a single-family residential zone, or when the nearest property line of a mixed-use zone is separated by the 405 Freeway. Only two of the initial 11 opportunity sites identified by city staff for potential housing developments met the criteria to be built out to the 75-unit-per-acre base density. Those sites, staff said, were Warner Square and the former Boomers. 'This is an area that the [general plan advisory committee], City Council and Planning Commission saw as an area that could hold more units than the rest of the properties in town that we included in our housing element,' Dadabhoy said. Ayers said the project would generate an estimated 3,138 daily trips to the area. There would be 980 parking spaces included at the site, including two seven-story parking structures. Ayers said state density bonus law required 776 parking spaces for the proposed development. 'We have 916 stalls that are going to be dedicated to residents,' Turk said. 'Those are going to be access-controlled in the parking garage, and then we have an additional 64 stalls that are going to be dedicated to retail guests and the public. The majority of those — 45 of those — are service parking stalls. So anyone who wants to go to the retail or go to the dog park is going to have a lot of options for parking.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Diego residents pushing back on construction of ‘over-built, bloated monstrosities' in their backyards
Jim LaMattery, a San Diego residential real estate agent, has been working tirelessly to fight against what he calls 'alligator projects.' The projects are accessory dwelling units (ADU) built by developers, which LaMattery gave the nickname to because of the way alligators ''pop up' unexpectedly as they aren't legally required to give notice to neighbors that they're coming,' he wrote on his website. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) One recent project on Almayo Avenue in the Clairemont neighborhood will house 17 ADUs in the backyard of a single-family home. LaMattery told CBS 8 reporters that each 441-square-foot unit will have one bedroom, one bath and will be rented for $2,600 per month. 'They're over-built, bloated monstrosities in the middle of our neighborhoods," LaMattery said. On his website, he argues that these projects — thanks to the Complete Communities Program— will lead to negative repercussions, like placing an unnecessary overload on resources and increasing the cost of housing for other residents. "My greatest joy in real estate was selling to young people a new home. That, to me, is what the American dream is. This ain't no American dream," LaMattery told CBS 8. "This is an American nightmare." The Complete Communities Housing Solutions program in San Diego was developed to help address the housing shortage and lack of affordable housing in the city. The goal is to meet the city's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) by increasing the number of housing units within the next eight years. Some of the strategies the program proposes include implementing affordable multi-family housing in areas near transit and for developers to invest in amenities in neighborhoods, like parks and plazas. However, residents don't have a say in any of these developer-led projects, as the program allows for 'streamlined processing' and doesn't require any public input or notice, according to CBS 8. This is a cause for concern for LaMattery and other homeowners. Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? ADUs in general aren't the problem for those against the alligator projects. Rather, it's the fact that developers can come in and build them without addressing any potential concerns from others living in the area. Bill Buchwald, a resident of the Clairemont neighborhood, told CBS 8 reporters he was surprised when one of these development projects popped up. He's concerned about there being less access for emergency vehicles, more power lines overhead and overcrowding. "If you get high winds and they arc against the building, everything's going to go up,' he said, referring to the power lines. Others, like John Schwartz, told reporters he was worried about more projects in the pipeline, saying that 'it's an exploitation of neighborhoods that shouldn't be happening.' While these concerns are real, there are some potential benefits to increasing the amount of ADUs. For one, it can increase much needed housing supply at a more affordable price for those who may find available options too cost prohibitive. Since the Complete Communities Housing Solutions program is prioritizing areas with close access to public transit, it could help people without cars find somewhere to live that allows them to travel throughout the city easily. Still, efforts are in place to repeal the program. According to Fox 5, the San Diego City Council voted in March to start scaling back the program to prevent developers from taking advantage of neighborhoods. The council is currently reassessing its rules before updating the program. LaMattery currently has a ballot initiative survey to collect the opinions of those who would like to repeal the program, too. He hopes to get 144,000 responses by the end of this summer. He is also encouraging San Diego residents to join his 'alligator tour' to see the types of ADUs being built and file a complaint with city officials before the assessment period is over. Over the past several years, states throughout the country have implemented similar plans to address the housing shortage and to create more affordable housing. For instance, Oregon banned zoning designed only to house single-family homes. A law signed in 2019 requires cities with a population of over 1,000 to let duplexes be built, whereas areas with over 25,000 residents need to allow triplexes, four-unit homes and townhomes. And in Massachusetts, the MBTA Communities law allows multifamily housing to be built close to transit stations. Your best bet is to be aware of what is happening in your community and voice your concerns. Start by looking up any housing-related news in your local area and what types of housing is allowed there. Consider completing a public records request for any properties you're concerned about and contact your city council representative. Attending or staying up to date on city council meetings will give you the opportunity to be more informed of upcoming laws or housing projects before they happen. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead There's a 60% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these essential money moves ASAP (most of which you can complete in just minutes) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Diego residents pushing back on construction of ‘over-built, bloated monstrosities' in their backyards
Jim LaMattery, a San Diego residential real estate agent, has been working tirelessly to fight against what he calls 'alligator projects.' The projects are accessory dwelling units (ADU) built by developers, which LaMattery gave the nickname to because of the way alligators ''pop up' unexpectedly as they aren't legally required to give notice to neighbors that they're coming,' he wrote on his website. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) One recent project on Almayo Avenue in the Clairemont neighborhood will house 17 ADUs in the backyard of a single-family home. LaMattery told CBS 8 reporters that each 441-square-foot unit will have one bedroom, one bath and will be rented for $2,600 per month. 'They're over-built, bloated monstrosities in the middle of our neighborhoods," LaMattery said. On his website, he argues that these projects — thanks to the Complete Communities Program— will lead to negative repercussions, like placing an unnecessary overload on resources and increasing the cost of housing for other residents. "My greatest joy in real estate was selling to young people a new home. That, to me, is what the American dream is. This ain't no American dream," LaMattery told CBS 8. "This is an American nightmare." The Complete Communities Housing Solutions program in San Diego was developed to help address the housing shortage and lack of affordable housing in the city. The goal is to meet the city's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) by increasing the number of housing units within the next eight years. Some of the strategies the program proposes include implementing affordable multi-family housing in areas near transit and for developers to invest in amenities in neighborhoods, like parks and plazas. However, residents don't have a say in any of these developer-led projects, as the program allows for 'streamlined processing' and doesn't require any public input or notice, according to CBS 8. This is a cause for concern for LaMattery and other homeowners. Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? ADUs in general aren't the problem for those against the alligator projects. Rather, it's the fact that developers can come in and build them without addressing any potential concerns from others living in the area. Bill Buchwald, a resident of the Clairemont neighborhood, told CBS 8 reporters he was surprised when one of these development projects popped up. He's concerned about there being less access for emergency vehicles, more power lines overhead and overcrowding. "If you get high winds and they arc against the building, everything's going to go up,' he said, referring to the power lines. Others, like John Schwartz, told reporters he was worried about more projects in the pipeline, saying that 'it's an exploitation of neighborhoods that shouldn't be happening.' While these concerns are real, there are some potential benefits to increasing the amount of ADUs. For one, it can increase much needed housing supply at a more affordable price for those who may find available options too cost prohibitive. Since the Complete Communities Housing Solutions program is prioritizing areas with close access to public transit, it could help people without cars find somewhere to live that allows them to travel throughout the city easily. Still, efforts are in place to repeal the program. According to Fox 5, the San Diego City Council voted in March to start scaling back the program to prevent developers from taking advantage of neighborhoods. The council is currently reassessing its rules before updating the program. LaMattery currently has a ballot initiative survey to collect the opinions of those who would like to repeal the program, too. He hopes to get 144,000 responses by the end of this summer. He is also encouraging San Diego residents to join his 'alligator tour' to see the types of ADUs being built and file a complaint with city officials before the assessment period is over. Over the past several years, states throughout the country have implemented similar plans to address the housing shortage and to create more affordable housing. For instance, Oregon banned zoning designed only to house single-family homes. A law signed in 2019 requires cities with a population of over 1,000 to let duplexes be built, whereas areas with over 25,000 residents need to allow triplexes, four-unit homes and townhomes. And in Massachusetts, the MBTA Communities law allows multifamily housing to be built close to transit stations. Your best bet is to be aware of what is happening in your community and voice your concerns. Start by looking up any housing-related news in your local area and what types of housing is allowed there. Consider completing a public records request for any properties you're concerned about and contact your city council representative. Attending or staying up to date on city council meetings will give you the opportunity to be more informed of upcoming laws or housing projects before they happen. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead There's a 60% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these essential money moves ASAP (most of which you can complete in just minutes) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Los Angeles Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach may ask U.S. Supreme Court to hear housing case after appeals court declines another look
Huntington Beach might appeal its fight over state housing mandates all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, after a federal appellate court declined another hearing the city's lawsuit on Monday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied an en banc review of City of Huntington Beach v. Newsom, where all judges from the full circuit court would hear it. Huntington Beach City Atty. Mike Vigliotta said in a statement Tuesday that he would ask the City Council to approve filing a petition to the Supreme Court, the last option for the case to continue. The all-MAGA City Council has taken a firm stance against the state getting involved in the charter city's business, particularly in the area of zoning for more housing. 'A city's right to sue the state in federal court is an issue that presents a split among federal circuit courts across the nation,' Vigliotta said. 'These are the kinds of cases the Supreme Court will sometimes hear to resolve the split among federal circuit courts. We remain determined to challenge Sacramento's unconstitutional stronghold on cities. We will not be deterred or intimidated and will continue to fight for Huntington Beach.' Huntington Beach has continued to fight state Regional Housing Needs Assessment requirements to zone for 13,368 dwelling units in the current cycle. The city filed a federal lawsuit against the state of California in March 2023, arguing that the requirements violate the charter city's right to zone property. The courts have largely not agreed. The state's motion to dismiss the lawsuit was granted by a U.S. district court judge in November 2023. Michael Gates, who recently left his job as Huntington Beach city attorney, argued the case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2024, but a three-judge panel ruled that the city did not have standing to sue in federal court. Additionally, that panel stated in its ruling that 'no matter how California categorizes charter cities, they remain subordinate political bodies, not sovereign entities.' Now, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied taking another look at the case with a larger group of judges. 'We are pleased that Huntington Beach's latest attempt to exempt itself from our state's housing laws has failed,' California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said in a statement. 'All along, Governor Newsom and I have asserted that the city's federal lawsuit is meritless and a waste of the public's money. Like every other city in California, Huntington Beach has a legal obligation to build its fair share of housing. We will be closely monitoring what the city decides to do next.' In a state lawsuit against Huntington Beach, a San Diego Superior Court judge ordered last July that the city must pass a compliant housing element within a year. That case is also on appeal.
CBS News
26-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Newly released numbers show Sacramento County is far behind housing goal
SACRAMENTO — Sacramento County is acknowledging just how far behind it is in approving the construction of new homes and apartments. California law sets requirements for just how many affordable units are needed, and on Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors was told they only have four more years to build thousands more. Housing advocates say the lack of affordable units is a big concern. The need for more low- and moderate-income housing is highlighted in a plan called the "Regional Housing Needs Assessment," which is a review that takes place every eight years and is required by state law. In Sacramento County, an average of 558 very-low-income units should be built each year, but the actual amount is only 18. For moderate-income housing, more than 500 should be built each year, but the actual number is less than 200. The biggest need is for what's called above-moderate-income housing. More than 1,200 should be built each year, but the annual average is less than 500. "I think it's really important that we be holding local governments accountable," said Natalie Spievack of Housing California. The county doesn't actually build the homes, but they control where the new units can be built and the pot of money that helps offset the development costs. "I don't think there's a shortage of developers," said Dave Defanti, Sacramento County's deputy county executive. "I think the constraint is funding." "It's been several years since the last affordable housing bond went through the legislature and those funds have been spent down," said Jonathan Cook, the executive director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance. In total, the housing assessment says nearly 20,000 new homes are needed in Sacramento County by 2029. The county could face fines and a loss of state funding if the requirement is not met. "It's important that the state continue to enforce those laws, otherwise, there's no stick for cities to be doing their part," Spievack said. "This is something that is a very high priority, remains a high priority for us," County Supervisor Phil Serna said. Many housing advocates are backing a bill currently being debated in the state legislature that would place a $ 10 billion affordable housing bond on the 2026 ballot.
