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Council approves 73‑unit 'Compass at Red Hill' development by Meritage Homes
Summary
The Tustin City Council approved a 73‑unit condominium development by Meritage Homes in the Red Hill Avenue specific plan area, including four deed‑restricted very‑low‑income units, a development agreement and a request for state density bonus parking standards; the motion passed 5–0.
The Tustin City Council on June 3 approved the Compass at Red Hill, a 73‑unit condominium project proposed by Meritage Homes on a roughly 3.4‑acre site on the west side of Red Hill Avenue just north of the 5 Freeway. Jay Eastman, assistant director of community development, told the council the project includes nine three‑story buildings, two‑car garages for each unit and 18 on‑site guest parking spaces; four units are reserved for very‑low‑income households.
Meritage Homes representative Johanna Crooker described the company’s experience and said the project includes energy‑conserving features such as solar panels (required by code) and EV ready garages. Crooker said the builder is subsidizing the four affordable units and emphasized the project’s design, public amenity space and proposed gateway signage at Red Hill and San Juan.
During questioning, council members asked about solar and the extent to which on‑site systems could meet annual energy use; staff noted Title 24 energy rules and that the project aims to meet year‑long net‑zero energy targets. Council also asked about prior entitlements at the site; staff said an earlier rental project for 137 units that included a commercial component was entitled but failed to proceed for economic reasons, and this proposal changes the product type to for‑sale condominiums. Traffic engineering staff told the council the development will take access from Red Hill and that proposed signalization and synchronization on Red Hill Avenue have been studied and can be accommodated.
A single remote speaker and several members of the public expressed support for infill housing at the site and for the project’s streetscape and public space elements. Council members praised staff and the applicant and moved to approve resolution 25 43 and to adopt the development agreement ordinance (Ordinance 15 66). The clerk’s roll call recorded the motion as passing unanimously, 5–0.
With approval, the council authorized the development agreement and related entitlements; staff said project details such as gateway signage and final design illustrations will be refined during the implementation and permitting process. The record shows the planning commission recommended approval on May 13; the council vote completes the local discretionary approvals required for the project to proceed to final map and permitting.
