Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends approval of 140‑unit Jefferson townhome development with revised conditions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of DPR 2024-41, VTTM 19300 and UP 2024-47 for a 140‑unit, three‑story townhome community at 440 N. Jefferson, finding the project categorically exempt under CEQA Class 32 and approving amendments to multiple conditions addressing utilities, environmental documentation and circulation.
The Placentia Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a 140-unit townhome and condominium project on a 4.9-acre site at 440 North Jefferson, forwarding two resolutions and amended conditions to City Council where applicable. Staff presented DPR 2024-41, VTTM 19300 and UP 2024-47 and recommended CEQA review under the Class 32 infill exemption.
Senior planner Leslie Whitaker described the proposal as 23 three‑story townhome buildings yielding 140 homes (23 one‑bed, 41 two‑bed and 76 three‑bed units) with a mix of garages and open parking totaling the code-required spaces. Whitaker explained a revision to Building 12 widened a roadway from 16 to 20 feet, changed one middle unit from a two‑bed to a one‑bed to maintain parking counts, and added open spaces and amenities including a dog park, tot lot and three court areas painted for pickleball. Whitaker also summarized technical constraints: the site contains 12 oil wells being plugged under California Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) oversight and staff revised several conditions (16, 20, 22, 46, 47, 56 and 81) for clarity and timing of documentation.
Developer Alan Toffley described the project approach, said the scheme is consistent with the nearby Hudson community the same developer built, and confirmed the HOA fee range and an in‑lieu affordable‑housing payment rather than on‑site affordable units. Environmental consultant Mark Belozis said a traffic/vehicle‑miles‑traveled analysis and a separate traffic study were prepared and screened out under the categorical exemption; Belozis stated the peak‑hour generation was “around 60 to 70 trips per hour.”
Commissioners probed circulation and safety: staff and the applicant explained drive‑aisle widths, hammerhead turnarounds, trash pickup plans with Republic Services, and emergency access procedures (including working with BNSF to pause rail operations in a major emergency if needed). The commission voted 3–1 to approve the resolutions and amended conditions (Commissioner Navarro recorded a no vote); staff will carry the approved actions forward per standard processing and the project will provide required environmental and well‑abandonment documentation before building permits.
