Ontario approves church replacement with affordable housing project

In Ontario, California, city leaders have approved a plan to transform the former Sunrise Church property into a condominium development, despite mixed reactions from local residents. The site, located on Fifth Street, is surrounded by single-story homes, leading to concerns over potential traffic issues and the impact on local views, specifically from nearby residents like Greg Gomez, who objected due to the loss of his sightlines to the San Gabriel Mountains. He argued that the project was approved too hastily and without sufficient notification to those affected. Mayor Paul Leon has expressed support for residents' concerns but acknowledged that re-zoning the area to allow for lower-density housing would incur significant fines for the city. The project, managed by Warmington Residential, utilizes California's SB-330, the Housing Crisis Act, which facilitates the construction of affordable housing amidst the state's ongoing housing crisis. Out of the proposed 70 townhomes, only seven are designated for moderate- to low-income families. This situation highlights a growing tension in many communities between the urgent need for affordable housing and the preservation of neighborhood character. Residents recognize the necessity for affordable homes but question the concentration of such developments in specific areas, arguing that there are other vacant lands in Ontario that could be utilized better. The conflict in Ontario reflects broader issues seen throughout California, where the demand for housing often clashes with local community sentiments and the desire for maintaining certain lifestyle standards.