Long Beach Ups Zoning So Linc Housing Can Build Affordable Units

Long Beach has upgraded its zoning to allow Linc Housing to build 72 affordable apartments and other developers to build homes in “high resource” neighborhoods.

The City Council approved the zone change to allow the locally based affordable housing developer to build four- and three-story complexes at 4151 Fountain Street and 4220 Wehrle Court, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

The council also declared a two-thirds acre lot with a defunct grocery store owned by the city in California Heights to be surplus property. It’s where West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation has proposed building a 100-unit affordable housing complex.

Both projects are in “high resource” or “high opportunity” neighborhoods, a designation by the State Tax Credit Allocation Committee. It’s based on the presence of schools, parks, access to employment, retail and other factors, according to one city official.

Last summer, Linc Housing filed plans to build the 73-unit complex at 4151 East Fountain Street and 4220 Wehrle Court, to replace a troubled group home for disabled teens, Urbanize Los Angeles reported.

The City Council unanimously approved the zone change, general plan map amendment and a sustainable communities project exemption to make the project possible.

Plans for the complex, dubbed the Fountain Street Apartments, call for a manager’s unit and 72 one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable apartments for households that earn between 30 and 60 percent of area median income.

The complex will include 18 homes for people with disabilities, plus a playground, community room, green space and parking for an unspecified number of cars.

The $58.7 million project was awarded $23.1 million by the California Department of Housing and Community Development this week as part of $523.8 million in “Super NOFA” grants for affordable housing, according to Urbanize.

Neighbors expressed concerns about extra traffic, public safety and access impacts at a nearby elementary school.

Councilwoman Kristina Duggan, who represents the Third District, said residents’ concerns were her concerns.

She said city staff are looking to change street sweeping and work with the school district to improve before- and after-school traffic.

“I’m happy that this is in the Third District and we’re part of the solution and we’re providing 72 families homes,” Duggan told the council and constituents. “Now, I also want to acknowledge the neighbors who have come out and worked with me and talked with me about this project.

“It’s rooted in real concerns about the impact to the neighborhood and the quality of life for the people who will be living in the new development.”

Long Beach must plan for 26,502 homes, more than half of them affordable to low- and moderate-income residents, by 2030, according to its state-mandated housing blueprint.

— Dana Bartholomew