A major question concerning affordable housing in Santa Monica remains unanswered after the Planning Commission reluctantly approved a massive new development on Lincoln Boulevard.

The project is part of a sea of change coming to the stretch of the boulevard between the freeway and the Expo Line.  The complex at 1613-1637 Lincoln Boulevard will bring 191 new apartments to the street, replacing the JoAnn Fabrics and old Wertz Brothers Antique Mart. Century West and a subsidiary of USAA Real Estate Company, a national developer based in San Antonio, Texas, are developing the five-story property.

Out of nearly 200 units, the owner of the project has reserved 15 for affordable housing at the lowest income level, 30% of the average medium income. By providing the housing at the lowest possible rent, it meant the developer had to provide fewer affordable units overall.

“I’d like these people to have 30 affordable units or 20 affordable units,” Commissioner Richard McKinnon said at the contentious Wednesday night meeting before reluctantly voting for the project.  In the end, only Commissioner Mario Fonda-Barnardi voted against it.

Read More: http://smdp.com/city-and-developers-poised-square-off-over-affordable-housing-requirements/160167