City Council OKs low-income housing plan

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- A handful of residents were so intent on being

present when city leaders reevaluated a proposed low-income housing

project that they stuck it out at Monday’s City Council meeting, even as

it lasted well into Tuesday’s early morning hours.

About 3 a.m., council members voted 5 to 1 in favor of a three-story,

107-unit apartment complex for low-income residents. Councilman Dave

Sullivan dissented, and Councilman Tom Harman was absent.

The complex, intended for single-room occupancy for up to two people

per unit, was set for 8102 Ellis Ave., near Beach Boulevard, for

individuals whose income falls within federal standards for low- and very

low-incomes.

“Affordable housing is critical to a city the size of Huntington

Beach,” Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff said. “Plus, we have a city

ordinance that governs single-room occupancy projects, and this plan

meets those requirements.”

City officials said residents who reach up to 80% of the county’s

median annual income, which is about $47,800 annually, will be eligible

to live in the hotel-style studio apartment complex.

The approval was a vindication for developer James Lu, president of

the local Amwest Environmental Group Inc., whose project was denied twice

by the city -- once in March by the Planning Commission and again in May

by the City Council after hearing protests from residents who said the

project would ultimately be a safety risk.

“I just feel that this project is inappropriate for its location,”

resident Jim Martin said Monday. “It’s too tall, it’s too big, and there

is already low-income housing in the area.”

Other residents were worried it would impede traffic along Ellis

Avenue, and attract miscreants and crime.

Lu said he doesn’t blame the neighbors for opposing the project, but

he believes their concerns are based on misunderstandings.

“We appreciate their comments and concerns, so we can improve our

designs for the project,” he said.

Taking into account the comments of residents and city officials,

Amwest modified the project’s plans to increase parking and lower the

resident density, with 40% of the 106 rentable units -- one is reserved

for an on-site manager -- reserved for senior citizens.

City officials agreed the revamped plan is more attractive.

Lu had taken the city to court for improper denial after May’s

rejection because he met city requirements on the project, but the case

was settled as a condition of Monday’s decision, city officials said,

adding that the city would most likely have lost and been forced to

accept the original plan.