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La Verne council approves Hillcrest Gateway entitlements, clears rezoning and environmental finding
Summary
The City Council approved a package of entitlements allowing Hillcrest to add seven new independent-living homes (net +3 units), merge parcels and rezone gateway sites from low-density residential to institutional after staffs mitigated negative declaration and planning-commission recommendation.
The La Verne City Council voted 5-0 March 16 to approve a package of land-use entitlements for the Hillcrest Gateway project, allowing the continuing-care retirement community to formally incorporate adjacent parcels into its campus and build new independent-living homes.
Principal planner Candace Bilcock told the council the proposal includes a general plan amendment to change the north and south gateway sites from low-density residential to a community-facility designation, a zone change to institutional zoning, conditional parcel mergers and a precise plan review for architecture, landscaping and circulation. Staff recommended adoption of an initial study and mitigated negative declaration and associated mitigation monitoring program; the planning commission had recommended approval.
Candace Bilcock said staffs analysis found that, with the proposed mitigation measures, impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels and that the project would be consistent with the general plan and compatible with surrounding development.
During the presentation staff said the physical redevelopment would remove four homes, renovate three existing homes and construct seven new single-family-style independent-living homes operating as part of the Hillcrest campus, a net increase of three units. The homes are described as roughly 2,100 square feet with two-car garages and private patios; the project also includes new sidewalks, curbs, gutters and public paseos to improve connectivity between East and West campuses.
Hillcrest project management director Christine Carrasco and other Hillcrest representatives spoke in support, emphasizing Hillcrests long presence in La Verne and its local employment and community uses. Resident speakers who said they serve on Hillcrest boards or live near the campus also urged approval.
Council questions focused on a small parcel not yet proposed for rezoning and on confirming that property acquisitions and the development review committees conditions would be addressed through the project's subsequent approvals. After questions, Council member Johnson moved to adopt the staff recommendations, Council member Lau seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
The councils action included adoption of the environmental document (initial study and mitigated negative declaration), adoption of a resolution to amend the general plan for the identified Hillcrest sites, and adoption of an ordinance to change the zoning to institutional for the listed APNs. The staff report noted that notices and public-review circulation complied with state law and that a neighborhood workshop had been held in December 2024 with no concerns raised at that meeting.
The approvals allow Hillcrest to proceed to the next steps in the entitlement and development-review process; the development review committee and planning commission retain review responsibilities for certain contingent approvals.
