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Council approves 120‑day access agreement for Site 3; Trumark, Habitat say project would include for‑sale units with 30% affordability
Summary
City Council authorized a 120‑day property‑access agreement for Trumark Homes to conduct due diligence on Site 3 (22.8 acres). Trumark estimated $185,000 in due‑diligence costs and described a mixed‑income, for‑sale plan with Habitat for Humanity; council discussed parking, noticing and by‑right status.
The Mission Viejo City Council unanimously authorized a property‑access agreement April 14 allowing Trumark Homes 120 days to conduct technical studies and viability analysis on Site 3, a 22.8‑acre parcel identified in the city's housing element.
Larry Longnecker of the city’s community development department told the council Site 3 is zoned RPD‑30A, the housing element assumes about 5.8 acres would be developed for roughly 215 dwelling units and the site carries a minimum 20% lower‑income affordability requirement. The council declared Site 3 surplus land in July 2024 and selected Trumark as the preferred developer following a notice of availability and responses from four teams.
Trumark representative Eric Nelson described the planned approach as a mixed‑income, for‑sale development in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, with 30% of units set aside as affordable and the rest market rate. Nelson estimated the developer’s due‑diligence budget at approximately $185,000 for the 120‑day period and said environmental, biological, soils and life‑safety studies — and coordination with fire authorities — will be part of that work.
City Manager Elaine Lister reminded the council that Site 3 is a by‑right development site under state law, meaning a project could be approved administratively, though Trumark indicated it may pursue a different process. Councilmember Vasquez pressed staff on public notice procedures, noting the city's 300‑foot radius notification practice and asking whether neighbors on the west side of Marguerite might not receive direct mailed notice; staff confirmed the standard 300‑foot radius and described notice to HOAs as an additional step.
Formal action: Councilmember Goodell moved approval of the property access agreement; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The agreement authorizes city staff to execute a 120‑day due‑diligence access permit for Trumark Homes; staff indicated a purchase and development agreement would follow the due diligence if feasibility is confirmed.
What’s next: Trumark will complete environmental and geotechnical assessments and prepare a conceptual plan within the 120‑day access window. Any subsequent purchase and development agreement will return to the council for consideration; council members signaled they will raise parking, potential concessions and noticing as key points during later negotiations.
