The Brentwood City Council has approved a housing development for open space on Lone Tree Way directly across the street from the Brentwood Muslim Community Center.
The 16.32-acre parcel will become 40 single-family homes, including four affordable units at 7590/7650 Lone Tree Way, just east of O’Hara Avenue.
Before its decision Tuesday, the Council considered two options for the project — the one recommended by the Planning Commission with 37 units and an alternative with 40 put forward by the applicant, Seecon Financial & Construction Co.
Originally, the applicant had proposed 34 units with two affordable units for a total of 36 to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission then proposed a modification that included 33 market-rate homes with four affordable units for a total of 37.
During the Council meeting this week, Jacqueline Seeno, president of Seecon Financial & Construction Co., noted the planning commission’s recommendation was studied by her team and deemed financially infeasible.
“The reason I cannot make that Planning Commission recommended proposal and plan work is because it removes one market-rate home, while adding two additional affordable units,” she said. “These affordable units — just to be very candid — there is no break on the materials, there is no break on labor, there is no break on cost.”
Seecon’s revised project with 33 market-rate and four affordable units, Seeno said, will help “meet the spirit” of the Planning Commission’s effort to increase the number of affordable units while offsetting the cost.
The Seecon project had also proposed an in lieu fee option instead of building a park for the development, but the Council decided the area would need a nearby place for kids to play, so future residents wouldn’t have to walk near busy Lone Tree Way.
Speaking in favor of the park for the many children expected to move in, Councilmember Jovita Mendoza also expressed frustration over the loss of local control, thanks to state legislation.
“When it comes to (housing) densities, there’s nothing we can do,” she said.
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