Proposed zone change would allow 19 housing units on Downey Avenue lot*
The City Council will consider a zone change to 10221 Downey Avenue. Photo by Eric Pierce
UPDATE: The public hearing has been rescheduled for Aug. 22.
DOWNEY -- A proposal to rezone a single-family home on Downey Avenue to allow multi-unit housing is facing scrutiny from city officials and the public.
Downey’s Planning Commission previously rejected the request to rezone the property located at 10221 Downey Ave. Now the City Council will consider the issue at tonight’s meeting.
The 1,700-sq. ft. single-family residence was built in 1952 and sits on an 18,000-sq. ft. lot.
Don Jervis, a local realtor, owns the property, along with the house next door at 10303 Downey Avenue.
If Jervis’ request to rezone the property is approved, it would allow him to construct up to 19 three-story housing units, along with landscaping and enclosed parking, city officials said.
Aerial view of the property. Courtesy city of Downey
Downey’s Planning Commission rejected the idea June 21, concluding “it could not make all the findings necessary to recommend approval of the project.”
City planning officials are equally pessimistic, writing in a staff report to council members that “the proposed zone change is inconsistent with the goals and policies” of Downey’s General Plan.
At least two Downey residents also oppose the zone change. In a letter to the Planning Commission, George and Donna Boose wrote that parking is already difficult in the neighborhood and that a multi-family housing complex would only exacerbate the problem.
"Although all the multi-residence facilities and single homes in the area provide on-site parking, it is easily observable that it is not sufficient because the streets are jammed with cars," they wrote.
"Although the approval of the zone change would benefit the owner, the unintended detrimental consequences would negatively impact the quality of life of current residents," the couple added.
Tonight’s City Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.