Orange Grove Housing Plan Pulled from Council Agenda

Warmington Residential abruptly withdrew its controversial proposal to build 49 homes on a Victoria Avenue orange grove from Tuesday's City Council agenda following discussions with Ward 5 Councilmember Sean Mill. The last-minute move came despite warnings from state housing officials that rejecting the project could violate California law and potentially trigger intervention from the Attorney General's office.

At Tuesday's meeting, Mill explained that Warmington Residential had requested to withdraw its own appeal after their discussions. "The developer paid for the appeal," Mill said, adding that "they have the right to pull their item from the agenda" since they initiated and funded the process.

The item was officially continued to "a date not certain," meaning it will likely return for consideration in the future. This procedural move sparked frustration among dozens of residents who had come to speak against the project but were limited to commenting only on the continuance itself.

Dr. Sharon Mateja, founder of Residents For Responsible Representation, a La Sierra neighborhood group, opposed the continuance: "The city planning commission already deemed this an inappropriate project. I would hope our city council, if we have boards and commissions, you actually listen to them and take their counsel and take it seriously."

Mill defended his position, noting his concerns about state housing laws: "I think if they go through the state rules, they may get whatever they want. 'The hell with Riverside.' I don't want that to happen. I want them to hear from us in the community so that we can get the best project that we can possibly get."

The proposal would transform a nearly 10-acre orange grove into 49 single-family homes, including three affordable units for very low-income residents. Using California's State Density Bonus Law, the development would reduce lot sizes from half-acre to as small as 3,690 square feet. The Riverside Planning Commission rejected the proposal in November 2024 in a 4-2 vote despite staff recommendations for approval.

California housing laws significantly restrict cities' ability to reject compliant housing projects with affordable units. HCD's warning letter states: "If HCD finds that a local government's actions do not comply with state law, HCD may notify the California Office of the Attorney General that the local government is in violation of state law."

While Victoria Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official historic designation ends about half a mile from the project site. However, Victoria Avenue policies requiring preservation of citrus trees still apply, and the plan includes preserving a 100-foot strip of orange grove along the avenue.

Former Riverside County Board Supervisor Bob Buster criticized the process: "We can't have this development hanging over our head for an uncertain period of time. This developer has had his or her chances aplenty here."

One caller, Melissa McKeith, offered a legal reality check: "The law is very, very favorable to the developer and the City Council is going to have to favor the law. So hopefully, in this interim period, we can work with a developer to come up with something that is more compatible with our neighborhoods."

The proposal's postponement leaves its future uncertain.

Speaking to The Raincross Gazette before the council meeting, Mill said he advised Warmington to "have a more robust and thorough conversation with community members about the project," telling them that "enough outreach had not taken place" and more dialogue was needed between residents and the developer.

Mill identified the broader issue as "state mandates usurping local control from the City Council," referencing the Feb. 27 HCD letter that warned rejecting the project could trigger legal action from the state attorney general's office.

Resident Steve Yates expressed skepticism about the developer's motives: "I believe this is an effort by the developer to stall and force the opposition to spend more time and money to fight this."

Matthew Esquivel, Director of Development at Warmington Residential, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the project's withdrawal or future plans.