What can Laguna learn from neighbor Dana Point and their response to the State mandate for Affordable Housing? Here is a sketch of Dana Point’s Doheny Village.
The city’s 2021-2029 Regional Housing Needs Allocation — state housing mandates — call for the city to add 147 very low, 84 low, 101 moderate and 198 above moderate-income units. According to a staff report, 46 of the 306 units proposed — only 15% — falls under affordable housing requirements.
Can the project be funded by state resources? State funding is at risk as this article shows there's not enough money to go around. https://calmatters.org/housing/2023/12/affordable-housing-california-2/
Situated in an urban area, the project is near retail establishments, making it convenient for residents to walk to nearby amenities. So why burden the project sold as "affordable housing" with an expensive parking garage?
More details about the new Doheny Village:
- In accordance with the Dana Point Zoning Code the project provides 586 parking stalls within the seven-level parking structure (one basement level).
- A Class III bicycle route would be created along the project frontage of Victoria Boulevard and shared-use, 10-foot sidewalks along Sepulveda Avenue and Victoria Boulevard allowing for bicycle travel.
- The project will result in 2,086 new daily weekday trips, 214 Saturday midday and 205 Sunday peak hour.
- The proposed project would introduce up to 796 additional residents to a 32,815 population.
The TAKE-AWAY FOR THIS PROJECT:
The "service level" is a measure of vehicle traffic NOT including pedestrians, cyclists, trams or trolleys, it is the measure of motor vehicle capacity the road can sustain. A traffic analysis of the project shows the "service level" remains at 80% to 90% of vehicle capacity before and after completion.
The study found despite a 586 stall seven-story parking garage and 2086 new trips, a Congestion Management Analysis not required for this project.
The increased population may increase the demand for transit facilities in the project vicinity, but would not require new or expanded facilities.
Project pays in-lieu fees to cities of San Juan Capistrano and DP for "incremental cumulative traffic impacts", or in other words pay to play project development.
"The proposed project is a joint effort by an ethical, community-sensitive church and a reputable, experienced developer with an excellent track record" but the product they produce is a 1950 car-centric plan totally inappropriate for Laguna Beach and the beach cities in 2025.
-LS
