IRVINE : Planners to Weigh Low-Income Units

The city Planning Commission tonight will consider plans for an apartment complex with nearly half of the units set aside for low-income families.

The 382-unit apartment complex, a joint venture between the Irvine Co. and BRIDGE Housing Corp. a San Francisco-based nonprofit builder, would be situated at Harvard Avenue and San Leon, near City Hall in Irvine’s Westpark Village.

The Irvine Co. announced the partnership last November as a way of meeting the city’s goals to build more affordable units in Irvine.

Although city planners and the Irvine Co. still disagree on the number and type of affordable units that should be included in the complex, the company’s proposal states that up to 134 of the units would be affordable to families of four earning about $26,000 a year.

Another 20 units would be affordable to families earning about $38,000 a year.

The lowest-priced affordable two-bedroom apartments would rent for about $590 a month, and three-bedroom units would rent for about $650 a month.

The Planning Commission will have final say over how many units will have to be affordable to specific income groups. At tonight’s meeting, the commission also will consider affordable housing requirements for up to 830 other homes the city approved in Westpark earlier this year.

Under the apartment proposal, BRIDGE Housing Corp. would build and manage the $42.3-million complex and the Irvine Co. would provide the land and some financing. The complex would include a pool, sun deck, spa, barbecues, picnic area and playground.