Plan OKd for 127 New Homes

A plan to build 127 houses on Milton Street won City Council approval this week despite objections by some industrial property owners and residents.

The project by CenterStone Development Co. of Santa Ana will be on three parcels totaling 16 acres on the west and east sides of Milton, north of Westminster Boulevard and east of Springdale Street.

The development plans call for one- and two-story single-family homes, private streets and for maintenance to be done by a homeowners’ association.

The council Tuesday also approved zoning changes to allow the residential development, including reclassification of a 10-acre parcel that CenterStone is buying from the Westminster School District.

Several property owners objected, saying that the project will create traffic congestion and could affect the value of nearby property that is now zoned for industrial use.

“It’s a losing situation. Everything is to the city’s and developer’s benefit,” property owner Bill Stuber said after the vote.

Councilwoman Margie L. Rice, who voted against the project, argued that access to the development is inadequate. “I would never vote for any project when there was one entrance in and out,” Rice said.

Kirk Evans, president of CenterStone, told the council he is confident that his company and the city will reach agreement soon to provide the alternative access.

Meanwhile, the developer wants to acquire an easement or buy city-owned property that would be used for a new roadway into the tract off Hefley Street.

“We are waiting for an appraisal so we can determine what the value of the access is,” Evans said.

Evans said the houses will be built in phases, with a completion date projected for early 1998.