Equity Residential Eyes Growth at Mission Viejo Apartments

Equity Residential is eyeing a density boost at one of its Orange County apartment complexes.

The Chicago-based landlord proposed redeveloping part of its Vista Del Lago residences at 21622 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo with a six-story apartment building, the Orange County Register reported.

If approved, the project would add 350 units to the complex, bringing the total number of residences to 958 from 608. The redevelopment effort would clear a 3.9-acre section of the 33.6-acre site, demolishing 68 units, tennis courts and a clubhouse to make way for a new 418-unit building.

The project would consist of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 600 square feet to more than 1,250 square feet. The building would wrap around a seven-level parking garage with 658 spaces. Amenities would include coworking areas, a fitness center, pet spa, rooftop pool deck and outdoor gathering spaces.

Equity Residential has proposed setting aside 53 units as affordable housing, including 26 units for very-low-income tenants and 27 for low-income households. Including the affordable component allows the project to take advantage of state housing laws that grant density and development concessions, allowing the developer to build more units than what zoning laws would typically allow.

Mission Viejo’s Planning and Transportation Commission unanimously recommended the project last month along with amendments to Mission Viejo’s general plan and zoning map needed to allow the development.

Still, the proposal has drawn pushback from nearby residents who argue the project is out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood of mostly single-family homes. “For me, it was more of, ‘Holy crap, they’re putting a monstrosity on a corner that can’t sustain this,’” longtime Mission Viejo resident Debbie Lewandowski, who has circulated a petition opposing the project, said at a recent planning commission hearing.

A Equity Residential representative told city officials the building would be set back within the complex and hidden behind trees and existing buildings as a way of minimizing visibility from surrounding neighborhoods. The developer also said tenants in the units slated for demolition would receive relocation assistance and options to move into other units in the complex or nearby properties it owns.

As part of its housing element, the City of Mission Viejo is required by the state to plan for 2,217 new residential units by 2029. — Chris Malone Méndez