SANTA PAULA : Council Denies Zone Change for Project

A divided Santa Paula City Council on Tuesday narrowly rejected a proposed zone change that would have allowed construction of an affordable apartment complex east of downtown.

On a 3-2 vote, the council turned down a request by developer David Allen to build 21 units on a one-acre site near Harvard Boulevard and 12th Street. The current zoning limits the project to 15 units.

Opposing council members cited the project’s density and potential for overcrowding.

“I’m not terribly in favor of approving a zone change,” said Councilwoman Robin S. Sullivan.

“I think 15 units is adequate.”

Sullivan, who along with Councilman John A. F. Melton and Mayor Margaret A. Ely voted against the change, also objected to the size of the apartment units. Referring to the 810- to 880-square-foot size of the two-bedroom apartments, she said, “They are a fairly confined area for three people.”

Sullivan also said the city’s housing authority has enough two-bedroom apartments in its inventory.

However, Councilman Alfonso C. Urias argued on behalf of the zoning change, saying the 21 units are not too small for the largely low-income area on the city’s east side. “Having units like that is better than renting a garage--which is done right now around the corner from this project,” Urias said. “Any housing, even if small, is an improvement.”

The council may reconsider the action in the future.