An Oceanside 55-and-over community of about 1,000 single-story homes built in the 1960s is unhappy about its likely new neighbor, a six-story, mixed-use “tower” proposed for their access road to El Camino Real.
The Vista Bella development near Oceana would have 73 apartments, four live-work units, and ground-floor commercial space. It would replace an aging two-story office building now on the property at the corner of Vista Bella and Vista Rey streets, between the Coastline Baptist Church and a gas station.
More than 200 Oceana residents sent letters to the city opposing the project, most objecting to the 60-foot height and the number of apartments in the project.
“The development plan is shockingly large in scale for a plot of land less than two acres in size, with or without a density bonus,” said a letter from Rena Wallenius.
“The traffic situation is of utmost concern for our safety as older residents in the area,” Wallenius said.
Many people walk their dogs, use the buses and attend church in the area, she said. Some residents called the proposed building a “tower” that will block views, sunlight and sea breezes.
Despite that, the Oceanside Planning Commission voted 3-1 to approve the project Monday, with Commissioner Louise Balma voting no. Balma said she agreed with the concerns raised by residents.
Other commissioners said state laws ed to address the housing crisis leave Oceanside no way to stop the project. Cities across California face a similar dilemma.
“We need to operate within the law,” said Commissioner Jay Malik, adding that people who want change should state legislators.
Representatives of the developer said they are doing their best to build much-needed housing within state and local guidelines, which is sometimes a balancing act.
“We are trying very much to be sensitive to the community,” said Morgan Gallagher, an Orange County attorney specializing in real estate.
Under state law, the project qualifies for more apartments than allowed by city zoning on the lot, known as a “density bonus,” because 15% of the apartments are reserved for very low income residents. While state law allows as much as a 100% increase, the developer’s request is only for 50% over the city’s zoning that would have allowed 51 units on the site.
“We are in a new era,” said Gary Miller, an architect working on the project. “These new laws have turned housing development on its ear.”
With the 100% density bonus allowed by state law, the developer could build as many as 102 apartments, Miller said.
Studies done for the project show it will have little effect on traffic, he said. Vehicle volumes are expected to remain within city standards for nearby intersections.
“What we are trying to achieve here is a quality project,” Miller said.
Apartments will have 9-foot ceilings and quartz countertops, he said. Studios will be 364 square feet, one-bedrooms will be 705 square feet, and two-bedrooms will be 1,043 and 1,155 square feet. The four first-floor live-work units will be 786 square feet.
