Dozens of residents at last week’s City Council meeting expressed their disapproval of a proposal to build 32 single-family homes on a lot currently zoned for 17—and the council ultimately heeded their concerns.

Homeowners living near the project site on the southwest corner of Avenida Simi and Reservoir Drive told the council July 20 they didn’t want such a dense development in their largelot, rural neighborhood.

“(This development) is really going to distort the rural nature of my neighborhood. . . . We need housing, but this particular development, especially how it is configured, is just unacceptable,” said resident George Kerr, who moved into the area 30 years ago.

Barbara Tuers, who lives on Avenida Simi in a custom country-style home, agreed, becoming emotional when speaking to the council.

“If you guys put 32 homes next to my house and ruin my country feel, it’s a travesty,” she said. “I beg you to make it low-density.”

After hearing the neighbors’ strong opposition, the council unanimously rejected the developer’s request to continue the application process, which would have required a General Plan amendment to double the density.

“I can’t support this zone change because I don’t believe it’s compatible with the surrounding neighborhood,” Councilmember Michelle Foster said, adding, “I believe the current zoning as lower density is appropriate.”

Under its current designation, lowdensity residential, the 6.47acre vacant infill property, which is owned by the Roman Catholic Church, could accommodate 17 singlefamily homes. The applicant, Quantum Development, was looking to increase the density of the site to medium density with an affordable component, which would allow the developer to build a total of 32 homes.

The housing complex would have consisted of two-story homes—ranging in size from 3,000 to 3,500 square feet on lots averaging 8,000 square feet.

David Davies, a representative for Quantum Development, argued that the proposal was compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods, but the more than 30 residents who filled the council chambers disagreed.

Besides having a negative impact on the aesthetics of the neighborhood, residents said, the project would intensify drainage and traffic issues that already plague Reservoir Drive. Some also voiced concern that the increased density and affordable units would lower the property values of the surrounding custom homes.

“The amount of houses that they want to build is just phenomenal, and I think it’s a very bad idea,” said Gloria King, who lives on the corner of Meadowstone and Reservoir drives. “The affordable housing will lower the property value. Our lot is a fairly large lot, and our house is a custom house, too, so I definitely oppose this.”

However, residents said they are not opposed to a 17home development for which the site is already approved because of the street and drainage improvements that would come along with the project.

Councilmember Steve Sojka said there’s a need in the city for larger lots and that the site provides the perfect opportunity to fill that need.

Before closing the hearing, Mayor Paul Miller gave the developer—who hadn’t consulted with residents before the meeting— some advice.

“If you decide to come in with another project, talk to the neighbors first,” he said. “Developers that spend time with the people come in and bring a cheering section as opposed to what you had tonight.”