The purpose of this Petition is to inform the Planning Commission and City Council of the City of Lake Forest that City Residents, in opposition to out-of-town special interests, are opposed to the adoption of an Alternative Design Standard for residential parking in the proposed Foothill Ranch Auto Center multi-family development.
Background:
Brookfield Homes is proposing to build 151 multi-family units on the former Buick dealership lot in the Foothill Ranch Auto center of the City of Lake Forest. In order to maximize the number of units, Brookfield Homes is proposing an alternative parking plan. 151 units are proposed with 327 assigned parking (2.16 stalls/unit) and 30 guest parking (0.2 stalls/unit). This includes tandem garage parking. To manage the parking, the developer would require all homeowners to use the garages for parking (including tandem garages), implement a plan for uncovered parking (including a provision for vehicles that won’t fit in the undersized garages), have a parking permit policy enforced by the HOA, and patrol to fine and tow.
The demographics and levels of occupancy are changing. More people are living in smaller spaces with a natural growth in the number of vehicles per household. Experience living in or near a multi-family development shows that parking is a major issue and only get worse with time!
Approval of this Alternative Design Standard would have long-term impacts. It could set precedence for the other developments in the City. Should the parking requirements be loosened for one development, it could set precedence for use by other developers of the Opportunities Study Area, where over 4,000 new homes have already been approved and could add an estimated 12,000 new residents.
A large number of City residents very clearly expressed their disapproval of this project at the May 23 Planning Commission meeting. In contrast, a large number of out-of-town lobbyists clearly expressed their approval. The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting and will hold a special meeting to continue deliberations and vote to approve/deny this project at a future meeting.
Dear City of Lake Forest Planning Commission and City Council:
The undersigned respectfully request that the Planning Commission and City Council of Lake Forest:
1. Deny the “Alternative Design Standard for Parking” proposed by Brookfield Homes for the multifamily development at the Foothill Ranch Auto Center;
2. Require that the design meet the established parking requirements WITHOUT relying on off-site parking;
3. Update the City Residential Parking Standards to address the long-term residential parking issues already identified in our City today; and
4. Become more “Resident-Friendly” and less “Business-Friendly” to this out-of-town developer and its lobbyists.
