Voice of OC reported that the San Juan Capistrano City Council approved the Distrito La Novia project by a 4-1 vote. The approved project includes ninety-five new single-family homes and a BMW dealership, situated on a vacant property that spans eighteen-point-seven acres east of Valle Road.
During the proceedings, Sergio Farias cast the lone dissenting vote against the project. Prior to the city council taking up the matter, the planning commission recommended approval following its own 4-1 vote that occurred in September.
The approved development brings several financial benefits and obligations to the area. Specifically, the project entails an estimated two million dollars in annual BMW tax revenue, a one-point-two million dollar contribution designated for affordable housing, and three-point-eight million dollars in one-time city fees and revenues. Furthermore, this council approval comes at a time when the city must plan for one thousand fifty-four new housing units through twenty twenty-nine.
Local residents raised concerns regarding the housing development and the BMW dealership. Terence Dougherty told Voice of OC, "Look at what makes our community unique. Historically, this area is a semi-rural haven."
Terence Dougherty also told Voice of OC, "Forcing an industrial zoning designation into the heart of this neighborhood completely shatters that identity."
