High Desert must plan for 30,000 units by 2008

By Ryan Orr

If Adelanto, Apple Valley, Victorville and Hesperia don’t collectively plan to add 30,000 housing units by 2014, they could lose their housing certification, subsequently losing the chance to get any state or federal transportation funds.

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment was released last week for the planning period of 2006 to 2014.

The report acknowledged the future construction need of 707,219 units in all 187 cities and six counties that make up the Southern California Association of Governments.

Each city must submit plans for meeting the goals by June 30, 2008, to comply with California state law and remain eligible for state transportation funds.

Measure N, which passed in Apple Valley in June 2006 set a guidline of two houses per acre in Apple Valley.

The measure also left general plan amendments in the hands of the Apple Valley Town Council that can make the necessary zoning changes to comply with the regional housing needs. If measure N didn’t pass, each amendment would go to a vote of the people.

If it wasn’t for the passage of Measure N, the town could have lost its housing certification, said Councilman Tim Jasper.

“The people did the right thing,” he added.

The housing needs report breaks down the construction needs of each city into four different income groups. The needs were assessed based on the population numbers from the 2000 census.

Hesperia will have to plan for the most units in the Victor Valley at 9,094 including 2,135 units for very low-income households. One unit doesn’t have to be an actual house, it can be an apartment or townhouse.

Apple Valley must submit plans for 3,887 units; Victorville must plan for 8,618 units; and Adelanto must plan for 8,422 units. All needs are for the planning period between 2006 and 2014. The next assessment won’t be done until 2013.

“Zoning practices are very significant in determining those demands,” said Carlos Rodriguez, director of public affairs at the Building Industry Association, Baldy View chapter.

“We urge all cities to comply with the state guidelines so that we can work with local governments to provide a place for families to live in the Victor Valley,” Rodriguez added.

Ryan Orr may be reached at 951-6277 or rorr@vvdailypress.com.

 

 

 

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