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Council approves first reading of Our Lady of Guadalupe apartment project after residents raise parking and safety concerns
Summary
The council approved on first reading a proposal by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange to build 21 apartments at 920 W. La Habra Blvd, including two moderate‑income rental units; the motion and a related inclusionary housing agreement passed 4‑1 after a closed‑session discussion about legal exposure.
The City Council introduced the first reading of an ordinance approving a 21‑unit apartment project on a 1.59‑acre site on the southern portion of the Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) church property and approved an inclusionary housing agreement restricting two units for rent to moderate‑income households.
Contract planner Daryl Taylor described the proposal: 21 apartment homes in buildings grouped around a central paved drive and cul‑de‑sac, access from Walker Street, on‑site parking mapped at 73 spaces (including two‑car garages and 11 visitor spaces), and multiple common open‑space areas and landscaping. Taylor reported the project meets city parking and open‑space standards and that the developer proposes screening with mature plantings along the western property line to reduce visual impacts on adjacent single‑family homes.
Representatives of the Diocese of Orange and parish leadership said the project is expected to provide ongoing revenue to support parish ministries and diocesan services. Father William Golden, parochial administrator at Our Lady of Guadalupe, told council the project “will provide 21 families with a beautiful place to call home” and that the planning commission unanimously recommended approval.
Residents who live on Walker, Marion and adjacent streets spoke at length in opposition or with concerns, citing existing church traffic, constrained neighborhood street parking, emergency access and safety near crosswalks and school routes. Multiple residents reported heavy church‑related traffic during peak services and urged the parish to better manage event parking and on‑site use before additional housing is added to the site. Several speakers described narrow streets, blocked sightlines, and past near‑misses with pedestrians at the nearby crosswalk.
Staff said the project was reviewed by Orange County Fire, meets the county’s turnaround and access requirements and includes sprinklers. The council recessed to closed session to discuss potential litigation exposure related to the item; the city attorney reported out that no decisions were made in closed session and that the legal issues were discussed.
After returning to open session, council introduced the ordinance for first reading, found the project exempt from CEQA Guidelines §15332 (infill development) and approved the inclusionary housing agreement with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange requiring two moderate‑income rental units. Both votes passed 4‑1 with Councilmember Gomez opposed. Councilmembers and staff urged the parish and developer to engage further with neighbors on traffic management and parking enforcement.
