City seeks low-cost housing in condo complexes
Anyone who has observed even one of this city’s 24 elections for City Council members knows a leading campaign issue since incorporation in 1967 has been housing density—with many residents rightly concerned about retaining Yorba Linda’s semi-rural heritage.
Now, with no vast stretches of land within city limits for new development and a state mandate to identify locations for low-cost housing, a key issue is where to put the 831 lower- and 412 moderate-income units noted as “needs” in a June 2010 city report.
The council, in a 2009 5-0 vote, identified 13 sites for potential 10, 20 and 30 units per acre zoning, 11 on the westside and two in Savi Ranch, but voters defeated a plan to allow 30 units per acre on one of the Savi Ranch sites in a Measure B vote last year.
Measure B requires a public vote on major land use changes, including rezoning that would allow more than 10 units per acre. The Savi Ranch proposal lost by 197 votes.
A majority of westside voters favored the density boost, but eastsiders were opposed.
Fortunately, not all 1,243 lower- and moderate-income units need be new construction, according to a recent report by city Housing and Redevelopment Manager Pam Stoker.
Up to 25 percent, or 207 of the 831 low-income units, can include rehabilitated rental housing, preservation of “at risk” housing and the conversion of existing multi-family housing into affordable units through covenants, under a “committed assistance” plan.
The city already has rehabilitated the 75-unit Linda Gardens Apartments on Plumosa Drive into Villa Plumosa and is considering covenants on the 84 Villa Pacifica senior apartments on Lemon Drive across from the fire station.
The remaining 48 units might be acquired from units for sale, including foreclosures, in five of the city’s existing condominium complexes, four westside and one eastside, based on action at last week’s special council session.
A 5-0 council vote appropriates up to $9 million from Redevelopment Agency funds to purchase not more than 48 units in five identified projects and “any other condominium complex” that might “benefit” from “committed assistance.”
The five designated complexes include The Hills off Via Lomas de Yorba, Yorba Linda Village off Lakeview Avenue south of Yorba Linda Boulevard, Jamestowne on Valley View Avenue south of Imperial Highway, Lakeview Retirement off Lakeview Avenue near Lemon Drive and Rancho Linda at Eureka Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard.
Acquisitions would be handled by Evergreen Villas L.P., which administers the 28 units the city has purchased so far in the 52-unit senior condominium complex at the Avocado Avenue intersection with Yorba Linda Boulevard.
After buying units, the Evergreen group will secure affordable covenants on each, which would count toward meeting the state requirements for very low- or low-income housing.
“As is being done with units acquired in the Evergreen Villas complex, the developer rehabilitates the unit with the necessary improvements and repairs, markets the unit as a rental property to a qualified low-income household and agrees to manage the unit as an affordable property in perpetuity,” Stoker’s report explained.
Previously, the city and Yorba Linda Water District agreed to cooperate on developing the vacated district headquarters on Plumosa Drive for more low-cost westside housing.
Now, with no vast stretches of land within city limits for new development and a state mandate to identify locations for low-cost housing, a key issue is where to put the 831 lower- and 412 moderate-income units noted as “needs” in a June 2010 city report.
The council, in a 2009 5-0 vote, identified 13 sites for potential 10, 20 and 30 units per acre zoning, 11 on the westside and two in Savi Ranch, but voters defeated a plan to allow 30 units per acre on one of the Savi Ranch sites in a Measure B vote last year.
Measure B requires a public vote on major land use changes, including rezoning that would allow more than 10 units per acre. The Savi Ranch proposal lost by 197 votes.
A majority of westside voters favored the density boost, but eastsiders were opposed.
Fortunately, not all 1,243 lower- and moderate-income units need be new construction, according to a recent report by city Housing and Redevelopment Manager Pam Stoker.
Up to 25 percent, or 207 of the 831 low-income units, can include rehabilitated rental housing, preservation of “at risk” housing and the conversion of existing multi-family housing into affordable units through covenants, under a “committed assistance” plan.
The city already has rehabilitated the 75-unit Linda Gardens Apartments on Plumosa Drive into Villa Plumosa and is considering covenants on the 84 Villa Pacifica senior apartments on Lemon Drive across from the fire station.
The remaining 48 units might be acquired from units for sale, including foreclosures, in five of the city’s existing condominium complexes, four westside and one eastside, based on action at last week’s special council session.
A 5-0 council vote appropriates up to $9 million from Redevelopment Agency funds to purchase not more than 48 units in five identified projects and “any other condominium complex” that might “benefit” from “committed assistance.”
The five designated complexes include The Hills off Via Lomas de Yorba, Yorba Linda Village off Lakeview Avenue south of Yorba Linda Boulevard, Jamestowne on Valley View Avenue south of Imperial Highway, Lakeview Retirement off Lakeview Avenue near Lemon Drive and Rancho Linda at Eureka Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard.
Acquisitions would be handled by Evergreen Villas L.P., which administers the 28 units the city has purchased so far in the 52-unit senior condominium complex at the Avocado Avenue intersection with Yorba Linda Boulevard.
After buying units, the Evergreen group will secure affordable covenants on each, which would count toward meeting the state requirements for very low- or low-income housing.
“As is being done with units acquired in the Evergreen Villas complex, the developer rehabilitates the unit with the necessary improvements and repairs, markets the unit as a rental property to a qualified low-income household and agrees to manage the unit as an affordable property in perpetuity,” Stoker’s report explained.
Previously, the city and Yorba Linda Water District agreed to cooperate on developing the vacated district headquarters on Plumosa Drive for more low-cost westside housing.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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