[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6609850,"mediaKeyId","2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63","parentId",2905052,"title","Residents press Garden Grove leaders for action on riverbed encampments; council asks staff for updates","audioSeconds",251,"startMs",2107000,"endMs",2358000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63&start=2107&end=2358","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63/thumbnail_2107000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609850/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Residents-press-Garden-Grove-leaders-for-action-on-riverbed-encampments-council-asks-staff-for-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609850-91e6ffb86d29fde0b626ca40e9261457/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163616&Signature=MLYv5~P4Dev7CnEdDnw6fIRZNtdxOr6ecdCRVdcu3tJtxtWddwXhTe2ck4dvD~5xdOVhKzmbIoBoQhMdSO7OUdvnBNrEU8cg49~f1LRj2HddswixTRlbUZsW5F2otA7s1t5naspDZsAWuFKKRbVY30ZiSBnWS3OSBNCNXnwpsoA~nhi~EJaj-5o~Zd-AVcVpg9Tu6gW3lgD4fcOJ02yudhJ9VKh1Gt8lYuAgulzAGwQJPF-XtZIV0LkDvIWlN5ZsLntBjTrJjDZUUL6CCizUc9hq0lN7oPLEvEvwBIcAYP7XtRTgpqrgCOhWzL9mKV7F0zprTDE6czi3StGW994r2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garden Grove","date","2025-04-09T05:11:08.25Z","article","Several Garden Grove residents used oral communications on Tuesday to urge the council to address persistent encampments and safety problems in the Gilbert flood control channel and adjacent riverbed areas, saying the situation is affecting nearby businesses and residents.

Why it matters: Residents described repeated incursions, vandalism and safety concerns that they say are making it difficult to run businesses and feel safe near the riverbed and underpass areas. Councilmembers asked staff to pursue follow‑up with county partners, the sheriff and public works to identify short‑ and longer‑term measures.

Public testimony

Devon Marsh told the council he and his family had ongoing disputes with the city’s Building & Safety staff over citations, but he also raised broader concerns about enforcement and how inspections have been handled; his remarks focused on a separate code‑enforcement dispute and courtroom proceedings.

Raquel Soto (recorded as speaking on behalf of property located at 11851 and 11811 Gilbert) described repeated incursions into the riverbed, parties that play loud music in the middle of the night, theft, vandalism of a retaining wall and a perception that police response is not effective because the area is partly under county/sheriff jurisdiction. “I feel like I’m scared to conduct business,” she told the council and offered video evidence of daily activity in the riverbed.

Kyle Mason, who identified himself as a neighborhood watch member, said he had already found a dead body in the riverbed and said he has repeatedly requested a steel door or other physical barrier to block access beneath an overpass. He said he had waited for police response “two hours” during earlier incidents and urged the council to take action.

Council response and next steps

Council members expressed sympathy and said they would pursue staff coordination with the sheriff’s office and county partners. A councilmember asked that staff provide an update on the Gilbert flood control channel at a subsequent meeting and explore options such as fencing, steel doors or other access‑control measures. The city manager said those topics are being discussed in the departments and that staff will meet with public works and relevant departments to see if the matter can be advanced sooner than the standard budget or project cycle.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; the council instructed staff to investigate possible fixes and to report back. Several councilmembers also encouraged residents to continue to provide evidence (video and photographs) to help enforcement and outreach teams.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-08: City of Garden Grove City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents urged the council to address ongoing homeless encampments and public‑safety issues along the Gilbert/riverbed corridor, citing threats, vandalism and slow police response; councilmembers asked staff to coordinate with county and sheriff's office and to explore fencing and other measures.","taxTitle","Garden Grove, Orange County, California","taxId",2926,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609856,"Council asks staff to draft ordinance restricting alcohol advertising near schools and youth facilities",144,5966000,6110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63&start=5966&end=6110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63/thumbnail_5966000.jpg","/articles/6609856/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Council-asks-staff-to-draft-ordinance-restricting-alcohol-advertising-near-schools-and-youth-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609856-e51321979dca5e0fd378726b1acfbb9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163616&Signature=Wm5WcJF4U6en8kflbUg3Wa8NrMcJjz5TTOtwUHxI5X1U03blbd8k~bmyyEwlEOL0Z~XZzSdHtGLoLUl7VEc5HGA3NC1QxTyns3LYIhISNNDlcuQUKI-3wxEhXtzTlg0sbuRYJgxCudutsQ6LYadUj7IkC8VFVYOjsbOcbSUJOmLRdyVVHrnRLaLfUOj2qs0X78MWu8eSEkPGXdbCbra2h4sfS4Z6MN8OXk-Grksm06vUYSty~L9~jdvitweYLj6q4OrP0~g6knysQvfcy9oPMqdssEMNJaJYjHecWzEgy9FcAS7~E5-BNfaxHIJFI848Sz3AJuFgnJfBmT8mU0KHRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garden Grove City Council voted Tuesday to direct staff to draft an ordinance restricting alcohol and drug advertising near schools, parks and youth recreational facilities and return to the council for consideration.

Councilmember [name on record as] Bridal introduced the request, saying a mural advertising alcohol near youth centers and schools raised concern. After discussion about constitutional constraints, the council approved a motion to have staff research legal viability and prepare an ordinance; the vote recorded six yes votes with one abstention.

Why it matters: Councilmembers said the proliferation of alcohol advertising near schools and youth spaces is a public‑health and community concern, and they want the city attorney and staff to explore regulatory options while taking First Amendment limits into account.

Council direction and legal considerations

A councilmember noted the mural in question appears on private property adjacent to a youth facility and asked staff to explore whether the city’s code can limit advertising in close proximity to schools and youth centers. City staff and the city attorney cautioned that restrictions on signage and murals can raise First Amendment issues and will require legal research and carefully drafted language if the council wishes to pursue an ordinance.

Council action and vote

The motion to direct staff to draft an ordinance and return with recommended language passed with six yes votes and one abstention; the council requested the city attorney research potential constitutional limits and statutory approaches before an ordinance is prepared.

Next steps

City staff said the research and drafting will take time; the council member who initiated the request said she would like staff to bring back an ordinance for a future meeting if legal analysis supports that approach. The council also discussed an interim, voluntary outreach approach of sending a letter to the business owner asking for changes while staff studies regulatory options.

The council did not adopt an ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting; it only directed staff to prepare one if legally feasible and to report back.","Garden Grove City Council voted to ask staff to prepare an ordinance that would limit alcohol and drug advertising near schools, parks and youth recreation areas; the motion passed 6‑yes, 1‑abstain and staff said constitutional issues will be researched before drafting the ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609861,"Council approves zoning change and environmental finding for 26‑unit townhome project on Santa Catalina",424,2714000,3138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63&start=2714&end=3138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63/thumbnail_2714000.jpg","/articles/6609861/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Council-approves-zoning-change-and-environmental-finding-for-26unit-townhome-project-on-Santa-Catalina","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609861-0b88c4b1c66e851415a1da671971b35a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163616&Signature=CIrkPEWQSCZJLteqF7iAnHo~QT~vod8hrI2v49TGCkY8yC-Wvn-Jr9A-egZf-AIdi-MZps-oEaxxY0jYP2AP4~l0ENve4GFSMB0wWTkyxwcPWTWq7eq8lxjaL6QveUuPAek7XDNewPGkIBtu~Eqj3Tt2SkT~TFsHotQ8tMu2Ixmbq~Jh~nYtoIo7ObTMDiLr1AWioMvzv3VzZbfZgok6JxwUCWFlbm5KQWlWJjVeJSyRx9fgKSRK7OXWU2qsZdc3hYUtBmpla-n76Ua0Yne5zDNVYa1grqSts03rzaeiSeyvNR6zvz7nmFrhp3J1e91a9gw9jZJqEZ6awEOzwJq9QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garden Grove City Council on Tuesday approved land‑use actions needed to develop a 26‑unit attached townhome project on a portion of a parcel currently occupied by a religious facility and parking.

The council adopted a mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring program, approved a general plan amendment (GPA‑001‑2025) to change a 1.73‑acre portion of the parcel from low‑density to medium‑density residential, introduced and conducted first reading of an ordinance to amend the zoning map (A‑041‑2025) from R‑1 to R‑3 for that portion of the property, and approved site plan SP‑150‑2025, tentative tract map TT‑196336, variance V045‑2025 and conditional use permit CUP‑119‑60 (revised 2025) as recommended by staff.

Why it matters: The project converts an underused parking area into 26 fee‑simple townhomes, providing smaller, market‑entry ownership opportunities in an infill location described by staff as close to transit and neighborhood amenities. Staff and proponents said the church will remain on the site and the subdivision is designed to preserve the assembly uses while creating a separate residential parcel.

Planning staff presentation and project design

Monica Rodriguez, senior planner in the city’s planning division, presented the project and staff recommendation. She described three two‑story floor plans (8 two‑bedroom units, 10 three‑bedroom units and 8 four‑bedroom units) with two‑car garages for each unit and 28 guest parking spaces. The project includes about 10,491 square feet of private and common open space with amenities such as a barbecue, community gardens, an outdoor yoga lawn and outdoor fitness equipment.

Rodriguez told council members the applicant is proposing a block wall abutting an existing wood fence along the southerly property line; staff said the existing wood fence will remain and the new block wall will abut it. She also described conditions of approval that address construction hours and fugitive dust control.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns

During the public hearing a mix of supporters and nearby residents addressed the council. Elizabeth Hansberg of People for Housing Orange County urged the council to move the project forward, arguing that missing‑middle infill units provide important first‑time homebuying opportunities. Adjacent property owners Spencer and Tricia Adamson said they were satisfied with assurances that their existing fence would remain and that the developer had included mitigation measures for construction dust and noise.

Several speakers from the religious facility, including the senior pastor, said the church sought to remain as part of the campus and supported the phased development because the transaction would fund repairs and upgrades to the existing church buildings.

Environmental and code issues

The council adopted the initial study and a mitigated negative declaration; staff said mitigation measures would address dust and noise during construction and that the project would not affect a southern wood fence. Rodriguez noted that the conditional use permit for the church would be revised to reflect current standards but that no expansion of the sanctuary was proposed.

Council action and vote

After discussion, a motion to approve the package of land‑use actions carried on a recorded vote of seven yes, zero no. The council’s action included the first reading of the zoning ordinance amendment; staff will return the ordinance for a subsequent reading and adoption consistent with standard procedures.

What happens next

The applicant will proceed with entitlement tasks required by the approvals, prepare final tract map and building plans, and implement the mitigation measures required by the mitigation monitoring and reporting program. Staff will monitor construction hours and dust‑control conditions during the construction period.","Garden Grove City Council voted to approve a general plan and zoning amendment, a mitigated negative declaration, site plan and related entitlements to allow a 26‑unit attached townhome project on a 1.73‑acre portion of a 3.025‑acre parcel currently developed with a religious facility and parking.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609864,"Garden Grove approves preliminary award for 81-unit St. Anselm senior housing project",403,162000,565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63&start=162&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905052-fb5c0a08e8d0c67edda6e303be114b63/thumbnail_162000.jpg","/articles/6609864/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Garden-Grove-approves-preliminary-award-for-81-unit-St-Anselm-senior-housing-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609864-76bb3aa897bbc97db7c9f20bf9ceae8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163616&Signature=NRBR2Ft-22RLlXTMRrfz11lz4z4mJxpixJF95KD-gj3s9TbAMvl5yjMpllzV~~QEvC0U--C1qm4sMc~Axznpo0fLCSPCSYFqRU3MBo8dmdS7D1OkjfVjSPOqVaGxSlXbIQvMVKzxoMYvdziODiSY~Eahoh4Ea2ic~OUxkRTbP8PsIn4t7blJAfw3FYJB~dDvHh0eIMaGiyaTg-88hU1-up33Khwtr-4uQhaGQ1CJH1kwvTPv~BTRRBQ74AHI~pdJ9KtvEk1XOLLnYg01DokmuiSFmGUzx5uWVy67pphBwoEiCr1WDGXAiALo~OgYkYGQocR5KSvvZ5uOe2suugH4~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garden Grove city officials on Tuesday approved a preliminary award letter that commits local housing funds and project-based rental assistance for a proposed 81-unit senior affordable housing development at St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church.

The award letter commits the city and the Garden Grove Housing Authority to provide up to $2,000,000 from Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds and 21 project‑based vouchers to support the Saint Anselm Senior Apartments development, project representatives and city staff said during a joint presentation to the Housing Authority and City Council.

Timothy Throne, who introduced the item for staff, said the award letter “provides the developer a commitment of housing funds and project based vouchers for the construction of an 81 unit senior affordable housing development at St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church.” He told the board the developer had leveraged other local financing sources and planned to pursue significant state awards under the HCD 2025 housing super NOFA.

Why it matters: The project pairs affordable housing construction with on-site supportive services, reserving 21 units as permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless seniors and preserving the existing church presence on the site. City and housing authority approval of the award letter enables the developer to proceed with applications for larger funding sources; the local funds and vouchers were described as critical to assembling that financing.

Project details and financing

According to staff, the proposed Saint Anselm Senior Apartments would be located at 9473 Larson Avenue and adjacent parcels in the city’s Koreatown area and would include 81 rental units (31 studios, 37 one‑bedrooms and 13 two‑bedrooms, the latter count including a manager’s unit). The project design described 21 units as permanent supportive housing (PSH) restricted to extremely low‑income seniors at 30 percent of area median income (AMI), with priority for chronically homeless individuals eligible under the Mental Health Services Act. The remaining 59 units were described in the staff presentation as targeting very low‑income seniors (noted in staff materials as “40–50% AMI”).

The project will include roughly 63,750 square feet of residential and amenity space, a 5,000‑square‑foot interior community area that staff said would house services including a health and wellness clinic, and approximately 13,000 square feet of open space. Korean Community Services (KCS) will lead a service plan that staff said aims to provide case management, medical and mental‑health care, substance‑use disorder treatment, life‑skills training and recreational programming.

Funding and conditions

Throne and supporting materials listed several financing elements the developer expects to pursue: $16,900,000 through the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) 2025 housing super NOFA (round 3), four‑percent tax credits from the Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC), and tax‑exempt bonds considered by the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC). The developer also reported securing or leveraging local sources cited in the presentation, including $2,500,000 from the Orange County Housing Finance Trust and $2,500,000 in CalOptima funding, though those amounts and sources were described as part of the overall funding strategy rather than as firm commitments in the city award letter.

Throne emphasized that the award letter and local commitments are contingent on the developer meeting “certain funding and programmatic milestones,” including a subsidy‑layering review and an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The housing authority and city will execute an affordable housing agreement only after outstanding funding sources are secured and required approvals completed.

Developer and service partners

Maurice Ramirez of Domus Development identified Domus as the project developer and said the firm builds affordable housing throughout California. Ellen Ahn, introduced as executive director of Korean Community Services (KCS Health Center), said KCS would lead wraparound services and detailed existing county and state program links: “At our other site … we’re currently contracted with Meals on Wheels” and “KCS currently offers psychiatry, therapy, care management, as well as other Medicaid‑reimbursed mental health services,” she said.

Council and authority votes

The Housing Authority voted first; the chair announced nine yes votes on the housing authority roll call. The City Council then took a separate vote with a 7‑yes roll call to approve the award letter so the city could execute the affordable housing agreement and related documents upon successful award of outstanding funding.

What remains

City staff and the developer said next steps include completing planning entitlements, finalizing project design, completing environmental review, and pursuing the HCD NOFA and other financing sources. The award letter itself contains contingencies that staff said would prevent the city from committing funds until required reviews and approvals were complete.

The presentation and discussion are part of the record for both the Garden Grove Housing Authority and the Garden Grove City Council; staff recommended and the boards authorized the authority director to make minor modifications and sign the award letter on behalf of the city and the housing authority if needed.","City council and the Garden Grove Housing Authority approved a preliminary award letter committing up to $2 million in local PLHA funds and 21 project-based vouchers to support an 81-unit senior affordable housing development at St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church, contingent on additional state and federal financing and required reviews.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Garden Grove leaders for action on riverbed encampments; council asks staff for updates

Council asks staff to draft ordinance restricting alcohol advertising near schools and youth facilities

Council approves zoning change and environmental finding for 26‑unit townhome project on Santa Catalina

Garden Grove approves preliminary award for 81-unit St. Anselm senior housing project