Voters to decide high-density zone change
An affordable housing developer plans an “austere” campaign to convince city voters to approve a zone change on a Savi Ranch parcel allowing up to 30 units per acre in Yorba Linda’s first-ever Measure B vote on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Measure B, which requires a vote on density levels above 10 units per acre and heights above 35 feet, was approved by 299 votes in 2006, after builders and real estate groups raised $174,150 to defeat the initiative in the city’s single costliest campaign to date.
In that contest, “No on B” forces predicted “a state of constant elections” if the initiative passed, but four years later, Measure Z is the first zone change to be put to a public vote.
Measure Z was placed on the ballot for National Community Renaissance, a non-profit that has built or is completing 10,387 units on 110 properties in six states. The group is responsible for the measure’s estimated $8,500 election cost.
Among the developer’s local affordable units: 67 at Arbor Villas and 76 at Villa Plumosa, both on Plumosa Drive, north of the library’s lower-level parking lot.
A favorable Measure Z vote would allow up to 30 units per acre on one of the 13 parcels the City Council identified for potential rezoning to 10, 20 and 30 units per acre on a 5-0 vote last year. Two are located at Savi Ranch and 11 on the city’s west side.
The Savi Ranch parcel on the ballot is the 3.2-acre former Mitsubishi dealership in an office and commercial area. A “yes” vote also would allow heights to 45 feet, but the entire proposal would require environmental approvals and a final vote by the council.
John Seymour, the developer’s acquisitions vice president, wouldn’t reveal a budget for the election, saying it would be “austere.” He noted, “We shall communicate with the voters and get our message and the truth and facts out. Voter contact will begin soon.”
Due to parking constraints and unusable land for the parcel now in escrow, Seymour estimated a development would involve a range of 20-27 units per acre (64-86 units).
Units would be reserved for Yorba Linda families and seniors, with rents--up to $992 for one bedroom, $1,187 for two bedrooms and $1,351 for three bedrooms--based on low-to-moderate incomes ($47,000-$105,000 for a family of four), according to Seymour.
“Any new apartment community we build would be of exceptional high quality” with a community room for city and neighborhood events, Seymour stated. “If all goes well,” construction could start by the end of 2012 and conclude 18 months later, he added.
Council voted 5-0 to put Z on the ballot, and four incumbents, including the two up for re-election, signed a supportive ballot argument, noting the development would be “far from residential areas.” But so far council is mum on specifics regarding the 11 parcels identified for potential higher-densities in west side residential areas.
Measure B, which requires a vote on density levels above 10 units per acre and heights above 35 feet, was approved by 299 votes in 2006, after builders and real estate groups raised $174,150 to defeat the initiative in the city’s single costliest campaign to date.
In that contest, “No on B” forces predicted “a state of constant elections” if the initiative passed, but four years later, Measure Z is the first zone change to be put to a public vote.
Measure Z was placed on the ballot for National Community Renaissance, a non-profit that has built or is completing 10,387 units on 110 properties in six states. The group is responsible for the measure’s estimated $8,500 election cost.
Among the developer’s local affordable units: 67 at Arbor Villas and 76 at Villa Plumosa, both on Plumosa Drive, north of the library’s lower-level parking lot.
A favorable Measure Z vote would allow up to 30 units per acre on one of the 13 parcels the City Council identified for potential rezoning to 10, 20 and 30 units per acre on a 5-0 vote last year. Two are located at Savi Ranch and 11 on the city’s west side.
The Savi Ranch parcel on the ballot is the 3.2-acre former Mitsubishi dealership in an office and commercial area. A “yes” vote also would allow heights to 45 feet, but the entire proposal would require environmental approvals and a final vote by the council.
John Seymour, the developer’s acquisitions vice president, wouldn’t reveal a budget for the election, saying it would be “austere.” He noted, “We shall communicate with the voters and get our message and the truth and facts out. Voter contact will begin soon.”
Due to parking constraints and unusable land for the parcel now in escrow, Seymour estimated a development would involve a range of 20-27 units per acre (64-86 units).
Units would be reserved for Yorba Linda families and seniors, with rents--up to $992 for one bedroom, $1,187 for two bedrooms and $1,351 for three bedrooms--based on low-to-moderate incomes ($47,000-$105,000 for a family of four), according to Seymour.
“Any new apartment community we build would be of exceptional high quality” with a community room for city and neighborhood events, Seymour stated. “If all goes well,” construction could start by the end of 2012 and conclude 18 months later, he added.
Council voted 5-0 to put Z on the ballot, and four incumbents, including the two up for re-election, signed a supportive ballot argument, noting the development would be “far from residential areas.” But so far council is mum on specifics regarding the 11 parcels identified for potential higher-densities in west side residential areas.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
<< Home