Posted on mercurynews.com: August 9, 2010
By Judy Peterson
Monte Sereno prides itself on its rural atmosphere and single family homes built on large parcels of land. But the state of California sees things differently. At the state’s insistence, Monte Sereno is looking for a parcel of land that could be zoned for multi-family housing.
“This is mandated by the state,” city manager Brian Loventhal said at the Aug. 3 city council meeting. “The state requires a variety of housing types, including multi-family.”
The state also requires all cities to periodically submit a “housing element” that outlines how municipalities will accommodate growth. If the state doesn’t approve Monte Sereno’s housing plan, Loventhal warned that construction activity could come to a halt. “The state could de-certify our housing element and put a moratorium on future development.” That could mean the city would not be allowed to issue new building or re-modeling permits.
So, the city is considering annexing an 11-acre parcel of unincorporated county land. The parcel is along Highway 9, running roughly from Farragut Lane to the county fire station.
Some people who own property in that area told the council they’re opposed to annexation. “Monte Sereno really doesn’t offer us anything we don’t have now,” Chuck Kappen said. “In fact, the county offers us more.”
Kappen, who has lived on his property for 38 years, thinks multi-family housing will bring more traffic and crime to the area. “I look at it as Monte Sereno trying to steal my property for gain,” Kappen added.
One county property owner wants to be annexed into Monte Sereno so he can build multi-family housing, however. Russ Stanley, the owner of La Hacienda, has floated a plan to annex the 4.5-acre site into Monte Sereno and build an upscale senior housing facility. But his attempts have so far been fruitless. “I would like to work in tandem with the city,” Stanley said. “The Hacienda is in a dilapidated state.”
Loventhal says annexing the Hacienda and allowing for a multi-family senior housing facility may appease the state.
“Is there any reason why we’re precluded from looking at other parcels that are within the city?” Councilman Marshall Anstandig asked. So, Monte Sereno properties that are on Winchester Boulevard are now on the evaluation list.
The subject of low income housing also played a role in the discussion. “No one is saying this is going to be low income housing,” Loventhal said. “It can be high end. It’s a variety of types of housing, not necessarily low income.” Loventhal did not know how many multi-family housing units would need to be built to meet the state’s requirement.
In fact, the city’s role in this is simply to zone land for multi-family housing. It would be up to a developer to build it.
“This is done for no other reason than the state requires it,” Councilman Curtis Wright said. “This is not pocket annexation.”
The county is urging municipalities to annex pockets of land that are within their sphere of influence. But Monte Sereno’s past annexation attempts have been met with resistance from county property owners and city residents alike.
The city plans to put together a fact sheet to help residents understand why Monte Sereno is pursuing a location for multi-family housing.
