People’s Self-Help Housing has proposed creating the nonprofit organization’s first rental project in Buellton by developing 89 affordable apartment units.
The Buellton Garden Apartments project, proposed for 10 McMurray Road on 3 acres behind the CVS Pharmacy and Albertsons stores, recently was approved by the Buellton planning commissioners, who unanimously approved a couple of resolutions allowing the project to proceed.
“I just think this will be a great asset for the employees and residents of the valley, so I appreciate the project,” Commissioner Aaron Liggett said.
“I like your project. We need more affordable housing and you’re bringing it. I really appreciate that,” Commissioner Marcilo Sarquilla added.
The project would involve two buildings, each three stories tall and with an agrarian architectural style. A wrought iron fence and block wall would surround the apartment complex.
Building A would house 20 one-bedroom units, 13 two-bedroom units and 11 three-bedroom units, including one for the site manager.
It also would include a 4,200-square-foot community room and a 1,350-square-foot learning center, a kitchen and a computer lab for residents along with offices for the resident property manager, a social worker and a guest service provider.
An interior courtyard would have shaded seating, a barbecue and picnic tables, a half basketball court and a play structure.
Building B would have 10 one-bedroom units, 24 two-bedroom units and 11 three-bedroom units.
The interior courtyard would have a grassy open area, a shaded seating area, a barbecue and picnic tables.
The applicant sought several concessions under the state’s Density Bonus Law, including limited landscaped islands to provide more parking spaces, a waiver of regular balconies on the second and third floors with juliet balconies planned instead, and permission to provide fewer parking spaces than required in the Buellton Municipal Code. However, the proposed 148 spaces is more than required under the Density Bonus Law.
The development will be key for Buellton’s efforts to meet its state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation, according to assistant city planner Cara Meche.
“The project being 100% affordable will help to meet a very large percentage of the city’s current RHNA goals for low-income households,” she said.
Commissioners had conducted a preliminary review of the project in March 2021, offering a number of suggestions leading to increased landscaping, a plan to use sod and not artificial turf, and more bike parking.
Several praised the developer for incorporating the changes into the final proposal they saw in November.
“I think you took our recommendations and made it come to fruition,” Commissioner Art Mercado told the applicant’s representatives.
The nonprofit People’s Self-Help Housing develops affordable housing projects in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The organization has seven developments under construction, nine in pre-development and six in the early stage of feasibility.
People’s Self-Help Housing has 54 rental communities in the three counties, manages 2,000 units and employees 200 people. The organization, founded in 1970, also has created 1,200 homeownership opportunities through a “sweat equity” program.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.