Council unanimously approves 159‑unit Saturn Park condominium with eight deed‑restricted units

The Monterey Park City Council voted unanimously to approve a 159‑unit condominium development in Saturn Park, adopting staff recommendations after a public hearing that drew more than 20 speakers.

Senior planner Eliana Munoz told the council the project at 601 Potrero Grande Drive and 2100 Saturn Street would deliver 159 residential units, including eight live‑work units and eight homes reserved for very‑low‑income households. Munoz said the site measures roughly eight acres, is currently home to two vacant office buildings and is zoned Saturn Park Innovation Technology. She said the city determined the proposal qualifies for an exemption under Public Resources Code section 21080.66 (AB 130), so some technical CEQA studies were not required; a traffic study was nevertheless provided and led staff to request red curbing near the project driveway and restriping at Atlas and Potrero.

The applicant, John Rexton of the Olsen Company, said the development will include 318 enclosed garage spaces, 33 on‑site guest spaces, a 13,000‑square‑foot central park with a 1,100‑square‑foot cabana and an 8,000‑square‑foot linear park along Saturn Street. Rexton said the project offers 16 unit types sized from about 1,100 to 2,655 square feet and that the developer hopes to begin demolition in August and grading soon after.

Several speakers representing teachers, nurses and first responders urged approval, describing the project as an opportunity for local workforce homeownership. "Housing is a human right," one speaker said in support. Other commenters pressed the council to require more affordable units, to prohibit short‑term rentals and to ensure safe pedestrian crossings along Potrero. Resident Dave Jones urged the council to disallow gated streets; a city staffer and the applicant explained that private roads and HOA maintenance are typical in condo maps and that police and fire access would be provided via Knox Box panels.

On affordability, the council adopted a condition of approval that requires deed restrictions to ensure continued affordability for 55 years. The developer said that rather than providing 16 moderate‑income units as earlier discussed, the financial viability of the project required eight very‑low‑income units plus more market‑rate homes to subsidize those restricted units. "We chose eight very‑low‑income units to provide a greater depth of affordability," Rexton said.

Council members asked staff and the applicant questions about parking configuration, emergency access and construction notice; Police Chief Scott Weese described Knox Box procedures and said officers can access gated communities within seconds. After deliberation, Councilmember Goh moved to adopt the staff recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The resolution authorizing the site development plan, density bonus and vesting tentative map passed with council direction to staff to monitor CC&Rs and implement enforcement to ensure long‑term compliance with affordability covenants. The applicant committed to notifying neighbors before construction and providing a site superintendent contact for community concerns.