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Council authorizes start of park‑abandonment and surplus‑land process for Whispering Hills site amid mixed public reaction
Summary
Lake Forest City Council voted 4–0 to direct staff to begin the municipal park‑abandonment law and Surplus Land Act processes for the 6.5‑acre Whispering Hills site to explore senior affordable housing with a park component; residents raised concerns about outreach, parking, traffic and preservation of green space.
The Lake Forest City Council voted 4–0 on April 7 to authorize staff to begin the municipal park‑abandonment law (MPAL) and Surplus Land Act (SLA) processes for the city‑owned 6.5‑acre Whispering Hills site to explore a concept that would include senior affordable housing alongside a park component.
Assistant City Manager Keith Nieves told the council the site has been undeveloped since before the city's incorporation and was transferred to the city by an IOD (indenture) in 1999 without funding for park construction. Staff presented a conceptual approach intended to balance state affordable‑housing objectives with preservation of publicly accessible open space. Staff said the conceptual illustration showed roughly 65 units but emphasized the number would be determined later through SLA negotiation and planning review; staff estimated about 3.75 acres of the 6.5‑acre site are likely usable due to slopes.
Nieves summarized the statutory steps required to proceed: adopt a resolution of intention to abandon the park designation, publish that resolution weekly for three weeks, hold a public hearing and consider a final resolution; in parallel the city must declare the property surplus, issue a notice of availability to HCD and eligible housing sponsors, provide a 60‑day window for interested parties to notify the city, and then engage in a minimum 90‑day negotiation period for acceptable terms. Staff also noted HCD would review submissions and could notify the city if the SLA process were violated.
Public comment before the vote reflected a range of views. Amanda Sheek, a Whispering Hills homeowner, criticized the outreach and said a city email address on the notice bounced; she urged postponing MPAL and SLA until departments such as Community Services and Economic Development had been more fully involved and alternative sites or concepts were developed. Amy Stevens, a 14‑year resident, said she supports affordable housing but asked the city to prioritize a usable park amenity and to address parking, construction impacts and site access in planning. Longtime resident Ketan Boettcher urged the council to keep the land as parkland and argued the city should not 'monetize' public land. Welcoming Neighbors Home representatives urged the council to proceed to increase affordable options.
Council members asked staff to clarify outreach: staff said two community workshops were held (about 19 and nine attendees) and that earlier email bounce issues had been corrected. Staff confirmed that the SLA notice is sent to eligible affordable‑housing sponsors and HCD, and that additional public hearings would occur through the MPAL process.
A council member moved and another seconded staff’s recommendation to authorize staff to begin the MPAL and SLA processes; the motion passed 4–0 with Mayor Pro Tem Serbo absent. Staff said there will be further public hearings and additional opportunities for community input as the processes advance.
The council’s authorization does not approve final development plans or a transfer of land; it directs staff to start required statutory processes that would allow the city to solicit and negotiate with eligible housing partners under state law.
