A proposal to build 151 condos in Foothill Ranch is moving ahead after the Lake Forest City Council gave developer Brookfield Residential approval to begin filing formal applications for city permits.
The developer—one of three currently proposing residential projects in the area— wants to build the residences on a nine-acre parcel bordered by Auto Center Drive, Portola Parkway and Bake Parkway.
Once the location of a Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealership, the developer said that the "Town Centre Residential Project" could house an estimated 436 residents.
Discussion of the project was undertaken as part of a new, two-step approval process recently implemented to fast-track development by allowing the council to gather additional information on such projects before granting a final decision.
Council members expressed concern about traffic in the area with a residential development.
However, Brookfield's vice president of land entitlement, Dave Bartlett, told the council that the project should get the go-ahead because the company's study shows that a residential development would result in 60 percent less traffic than if it were used under its current commercial zoning.
Talks about the project were accompanied by references to another residential project, proposed by Trumark Companies.
James O'Malley, with Trumark, said Tuesday evening that the two developers are proponents of each others' interests.
Brookfield and Trumark Co., which intends to build 75 single-family homes on a seven-acre site previously home to Foothill Ranch Chevrolet, are both looking for zoning changes of the land from commercial to residential.
As per a Dec. 6 City Council request, Trumark is in the process of providing the city with additional information regarding its proposal, such as potential traffic impacts.
The third developer planning a residential development in the area is the Baker family, which has proposed constructing apartments on a 30-acre site adjacent to the .
1. The developer [Brookfield]—one of three currently proposing residential projects in the area— wants to build the [151] residences on a nine-acre parcel bordered by Auto Center Drive, Portola Parkway and Bake Parkway. 2. Brookfield and Trumark Co., which intends to build 75 single-family homes on a seven-acre site previously home to Foothill Ranch Chevrolet, Is there a map somewhere showing what is being proposed? I agree with Dwight - we live at the dead-end of Portola (who knows when that'll get connected), so something to bring in more residents will be great. Not sure how it'll take property values down... closed stores will take property values down.
Foothill ranch represents 2.82 square miles of the 12.5 square miles that is Lake Forest. The population density in Foothill Ranch is 3996 people per square mile, while that of Lake Forest as a whole is 4866 people per square mile. (See http://www.city-data.com/city/Lake-Forest-California.html#ixzz1jvB8Mh3L and http://www.city-data.com/city/Foothill-Ranch-California.html#ixzz1jvAvNfj7) Currently there is limited ingress and egress for Foothill Ranch and most people are forced to reach the area by traveling through the rest of the city. This is the primary reason why there is so many businesses in the Foothill Ranch area that are struggling to survive. By allowing a small increase in the population density while simultaneously improving ingress and egress via the Alton Parkway completion, you should see decreased traffic issues and an improved local economy. Let's assume 4 persons per household and a proposed 226 households; the total increase is estimated to be 904 people living, shopping, buy groceries, etc... in the Foothill Ranch area. This will be a big boost to the many family run businesses while only increasing density by 320 people per square mile (904/2.82). Population density is still lower than the rest of the city, but business and traffic improve for the whole city. What a no brainer!
Pick your priorities. Is it most important to insure the economic health of the greatest number of businesses in the area? (How much is enough?) Or is it more important to insure the best quality of life for the residents ... in a predominately residential area? Note that the proposed developments will not only increase the number of residents, but also increase the density of residents. I am not too worried about the increase in traffic, as the extension to Alton should help some. (On the other hand, development along Alton may in time bring more traffic through Foothill.) I am not so happy with the impact on the local school. Foothill Ranch Elementary is rather large for an elementary-level school, and the new development will cause further increase. Naturally the developers are going to push for the greatest possible density (thus for them the greatest possible profit). Given the slightest possible chance, they will over-build, and that will not be good for either new or existing residents of the community. The fact that Foothill has a lower population density than elsewhere in Lake Forest is a good thing. That is why we live here.