Plans for a new low income housing development to be built in Corona were discussed on the morning of January 9th at an Infrastructure Committee meeting in the City Council board room at Corona City Hall.
Council Member Eugene Montanez called the meeting to order and Joanne Coletta opened the discussion on a proposal to construct Citrus Circle Apartments, an affordable housing project consisting of 42 new multi-family units and 19 refurbished multi-family units located on the east side of Buena Vista Avenue and south of the State Route 91 in Corona [MAP].
For the project to move forward 2 variances will have to be approved against local zoning requirements for the property.
The first variance has to do with the setback of the development from the street. According to local zoning codes the distance should be a minimum of 25 feet, however the developer is requesting it be reduced to 6-8 feet in order to make enough expansion room for the parking lot for the development.
The second variance would be to lower the density of parking spaces per unit. The housing project would house a total of 61 units made up of 14 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, and 19 three-bedroom units with 111 parking spaces. That is approximately 25 parking spaces less than original zoning requirements allow for a market rate development.
Developer Barry Cottle stated that low income families are typically one-car households and that 111 parking spaces should not be a problem in this type of housing project. City Council Member Dick Haley objected, “That’s in a Utopian world, I’m concerned about the parking. What about families whose kids decide to move back home?” said Haley.
“In the management of our properties we are very fair but very strict,” said Cottle. “When it comes to income levels we make sure to count the income of every individual in the household of the qualifying families.”
With concerns regarding the upkeep of low income housing as was mentioned by Haley later in the meeting, The client responded “We take pride in our properties, anyone who drives by will not know it’s low income by its appearance,” said Cottle. “Our property will be up to par with market level apartments.”
Due to a combination of federal, state and local funding the Citrus Circle Apartments project is targeting to provide record-low rent.
“A bunch of stars lined up,” said Darrell Talbert, Administrative Services Director for the City of Corona. “The City of Corona is going to be one of the first in California with the ability to offer low-income housing this low.”
Developments like Citrus Circle Apartments and other projects around the City of Corona is evidence that developers are choosing to build again and the economy is moving in a forward direction.
For more information and to stay updated with future developments regarding this project it will be further discussed at the Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. and again at the City Council meeting on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at Corona City Hall [MAP].
Why don’t we get more Senior housing instead of low income. We have enough low income in this city. Let some other cities have their share.
Thanks for engaging on the Inner Circle, Susan. Last month we highlighted a new senior facility that is coming to Corona as well. Check it out here: http://www.innercirclecorona.com/corona-economy-continues-to-build-momentum-in-inland-region/
This is priceless. Barry Cottle says, “anyone who drives by will not know it’s low income by its appearance”. LMAO! Has he not seen any other low income housing tract after 24 months of being occupied?
As for low income housing in Corona… no thank you.
Could it be time for another changing of the guard?
Great way to boost the status of our city by building more low income housing. Attract the non/lower tax payers while the higher taxpayers move out.
Low income housing yes!!
But… We need studio and one bedroom apartments for mentally disabled people. My daughter is mentally handicapped and there is NO housing. She is very high functioning. If not for my help she would be homeless. I call these people in between people. She has many friends, can use the bus and would love to work. She is living in a crummy studio near sixth and smith. The rent is raised every year and is now close to 700.00 a month . She lives on 860.00.ssi and social security. She is 37 years old
What do you think will happen to the low income housing in a few years? It will be just like what she lives in right now. Just stating the truth. Look around. Drive through the low income neighborhoods in Corona and see for yourself.
Seriously?! Can someone please explain WHO is benefiting from this project? It is NOT the city of Corona. Most of downtown Corona IS low-income. If anything we should be spending money to spruce things up. Make it an area the residents want to frequent for shopping and dining. An area that people from other cities might want to visit. What kind of community are we building with MORE low-income housing? Please open my eyes, because I do not have the same vision as our current leaders.
Do we not have enough crime? I live just south of Sixth and Grand where the low income housing is located and watch crime rise in my area. Everyone knows that low income housing brings crime. I watch as crime rises in my area. My car was broken into, my neighbors truck was stolen and houses are being burglarized? Cars parked in my neighborhood were shot up by gang bangers who live in the drug houses. Our school classrooms are over 30 students each now because of cuts in funding. Where are the additional students suppose to go to school? Our city resources are being stretched to the max already.
Our city leadership’s mandate is to build prosperity, not poverty. Taking tax money to construct another “poverty center” in Corona will not contribute to economical or cultural growth, it will however grow crime for sure.
Let’s look at Pomona, a city that used to prosper, once known for its university, technology businesses, great community. Their city leadership too, sold their souls to corrupted “developers”, look where that city is now…
Will we allow our Corona turn into Pomona? Dear neighbors, lets all gather at the Council meetings and stop this madness from going any further! Please spread the message to all the people you know in town, tell them to come to the City Council meeting in February and say NO to this horrible idea.
“anyone who drives by will not know it’s low income by its appearance,” said Cottle. “Our property will be up to par with market level apartments.” Wow, what happened to Trendy and Upscale apartments or is that just for better run cities. As other cities revitilize and move forward Corona misses yet again.
I’m seeking low income apartment please advise on availability.
Sally, thanks for your interaction with the Inner Circle! If you are interested in joining the waiting list for Citrus Circle Apartments you can contact them at 714-289-7600 or by email at leasing@c-cdev.com
If you are interested in finding out about other affordable apartments in Corona feel free to call the City of Corona at 951-736-2260 and request a list of the affordable apartments in Corona!
Really, the only comment that gets a response is someone who is interested in one of these Black Plague of the city apartments? Where are all the comments from our elected officials supporting their people’s wishes to have this project stopped? or at least defending their decision to build these? Will the builder include funding for the additional police to take care of this place?
People, its really time to get rid of these people who think Corona City Council is a lifetime career…Maybe some NEW blood and ideas would help this town….
What has happened at Green River? No more Coco’s or Carl’s Jr???
Carl’s was open for business one day, and closed the next. It’s like a ghost town over here. We have no grocery stores, and now no restaurants. What’s happening to the westside? Any plans for those 2 locations in the future?