FULLERTON : Housing Project OKd Despite Opposition

The City Council this week approved a controversial low-income housing project, despite opposition from dozens of residents who urged council members to reconsider.

During a five-hour public hearing Tuesday night, residents complained about the project’s proposed parking layout, saying it would cause traffic problems. They also opposed the $3.6-million project’s location and density.

The project, a 27-unit apartment complex and two-level parking structure, is proposed for 2200 E. Chapman Ave. and is being built by Douglas Chaffee and the Fullerton Interfaith Housing Development Corp.

Residents wanted the city to conduct a traffic study and prepare an environmental impact report to determine the effect the project would have on its neighbors, but city officials said the studies are not necessary.

“There’s things you can control and things you cannot, but I don’t want this in my back yard,” said Joe Tatar, who lives across from the project site on Chapman Avenue.

Joetta Simmons expressed fear that illegal immigrants may move into the housing project and said “that should not be done.”

City officials said prospective tenants will not be asked whether they are illegal because such a question could be viewed as discriminatory.

The Redevelopment Agency owns the property, which is valued at $780,000. It will give the developers a $405,000 grant and a $375,000 low-interest loan to buy the land. The loan is expected to be paid back in 30 years, city officials said.

The city is loaning the developers another $155,000 for development costs, which must be paid back in 30 years as well.

Rents for the apartment complex’s units will range from $426 to $655 a month, and tenants must earn less than $28,000 annually.

Churches from throughout the city supported the project, saying it is needed.

Construction is scheduled to begin within months, officials said.

Said Chaffee: “This is going to be a model project for the city. . . . It’s something that will benefit the community and we’ll all take pride in.”