COUNCIL VOTES TO RELOCATE PROPOSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
TO FUTURE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT SITE
DUARTE, CA October 3, 2011 - The Duarte City Council at its September 27, 2011 meeting approved relocating a proposed affordable housing development from Huntington Drive to the future Transit Oriented Development adjacent to the City’s Gold Line Station at the intersection of Highland Ave. and Duarte Rd. Specifically, they passed two resolutions that would remove properties located at 1415, 1423 – 1437 Huntington Drive from the list of sites to be rezoned for affordable housing
and move the requirement for State required affordable housing. Reflecting Council consensus, Councilmember John Fasana said, “Abode, did bring a high quality project.” Adding, “However, I will also say I have spoken with a number of residents and haven’t found anybody who likes the proposed project and most want to move in another direction.”
Staff was also instructed to bring back for consideration a process to develop a specific plan for the designated downtown Duarte area and the creation of an ad hoc committee. The committee will assist the Economic Development Commission by providing input during the specific planning process. “I want to keep a vision for downtown alive at that intersection,” said Mayor Tzeitel Paras Caracci.
"Council made this change in course based on new information received from state housing and community development, and new cost estimates that would require an added $2 to $3 million in City subsidy due to project redesign. Additionally, input was received from business owners and neighbors living next to the proposed development regarding the affordable housing development,” noted Councilmember Margaret Finlay.
At a previous August meeting, the Duarte City Council had approved a Disposition and Development Agreement and conducted the first of two readings on ordinances for an affordable, 66-unit rental housing development on 2.3 acres entitled “Duarte Oaks” proposed by Abode Communities. The City of Duarte has participated in similar successful affordable housing projects in the past, working with Southern California Presbyterian Homes on its 80 unit Andres Duarte Terrace that has already been completed and the soon to be built Andres Duarte Terrace West project approved for the southeast corner of Huntington Drive and Pops Road.
Duarte, like all California cities, is required to address housing needs in its community for all levels of income. The property at the center of the Council discussion was one of four sites identified in the City’s General Plan Housing Element to address the City’s affordable housing shortfall. The units proposed for this development would have contributed toward the City’s unmet affordable housing needs as required under the City’s State mandated, Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). In addition to the regional housing needs requirements, the City must also provide funding for affordable housing as a part of its redevelopment requirements. Specifically, for all redevelopment funds that are collected, 20% of the funds must be set-aside for affordable housing and spent within a time specific framework.
For additional information on this project, contact the City’s Community Development Department at 626 357-7931.
