Beach Boulevard Spot Rezoned for Housing

Commercial property along Beach Boulevard that has long stood empty soon will be converted into a 235-unit gated apartment complex.

City Council members this week changed the zoning for the strip of land to high-density residential, making way for the housing development.

The project will include enclosed garages, a clubhouse equipped with computers and billiards tables, and security cameras at the gates.

Acacia Construction of Anaheim will build the $22-million project.

Acacia President Rick Snyder said he thinks the market for the upscale apartments will be college students, newlyweds and single people earning $45,000 to $50,000 annually.

Snyder said his company has bought the property, on Beach between Imperial Highway and Hillsborough Drive, and will own and operate it.

“This is going to be a marvelous project,” Snyder said. “It’s a high-end project, not the typical dense three-story complexes you usually find on busy streets.”

Council members expressed enthusiasm for the development.

“I think this is an excellent project,” Councilwoman Dorothy M. Rush said. “I don’t think we need any more strip malls.”

Mayor David M. Cheverton added: “That land has been vacant forever. . . . This looks like it’s going to work. I think it’s going to be wonderful.”