During a recent city council meeting, members discussed a significant proposal for a residential development at 220 Victoria Place, which aims to introduce 40 new housing units to the area. The proposal, presented by Senior Planner Victor Mendez, seeks to amend the city's general plan to include the site within the residential incentive overlay district, a strategy designed to revitalize commercial corridors by allowing residential development in areas traditionally zoned for business.

The proposed development, which would feature a density of 22.6 dwelling units per acre, is positioned within a measure K corridor, a voter-approved initiative aimed at encouraging new housing while preserving the character of existing neighborhoods. Mendez emphasized that the project aligns with the city’s goals to increase home ownership opportunities and address the housing shortage, as the city needs nearly 5,000 market-rate units to meet regional housing requirements.

The council's initial screening of the project was met with a supportive vote, although Councilmember Reynolds expressed opposition. The proposal includes modern architectural designs, private open spaces for each unit, and a children's play area, although it does fall short of the required parking spaces, necessitating a deviation request.

Next steps involve further discussions among council members regarding design and parking concerns, with the planning commission set to conduct a primary review of the master plan and associated applications. The city council will ultimately review the general plan amendment and rezone for final approval, marking a crucial step in the potential development of this residential project.