Council approves apartment complex amidst traffic concerns

NORWALK - City council on Tuesday approved plans for a 62-unit apartment complex at the northwest corner of Pioneer Boulevard and Excelsior Drive.

The lot – located at 14815 Pioneer Blvd. – is approximately 1.55 acres. Of the 62 units in the development, six will be restricted to rental by very low-income households. The remaining 52 will be rented at market-rate.

The units will be split into 10 one-bedroom apartments, 17 two-bedroom apartments, and 35 three-bedroom apartments Plans also indicate that the project site will feature a three-story building to house the rental units, as well as leasing offices, on-site parking, interior and exterior common areas, and open-space areas.

The project did receive some push-back and criticism however, mostly due to concerns over traffic and parking.

Council member Rick Ramirez said that while he thought the project looked great aesthetically, it would impact an already congested area.

“My concern is the parking will eventually move into the adjacent neighborhood past the second apartment complex, creating another community issue,” said Ramirez.

Vice Mayor Tony Ayala said that his main concerns were with traffic, however ultimately chalked it up to bad zoning.

“The root of all evil here is the zoning of the property,” said Ayala. “I apologize ahead of time to the people that live in that neighborhood that they are going to have traffic issues, to have parking issues. We’ll do everything we can to mitigate that, but we’re trying to make the best of a bad situation.”

The project was approved unanimously.