Hesperia moves ahead

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 03, 2009 6:00 PM

Officials are confident public concerns about a city-driven housing project have been addressed. About 70 people attended an open house Wednesday that outlined the Hesperia Development Corporation’s revised plans for 1,000 units of market and attainable housing near Okanagan Avenue. “The turnout was steady for the entire three hours,” said Ken Stewart, president of the corporation, which is completely owned by the City of Vernon. “People came in concerned and I think the story boards gave them some answers. I don’t think anyone left angry.” The thrust behind Hesperia is to not only provide affordable housing, but units for people who have well-paying jobs but can’t afford to purchase a home. “The city doesn’t want skyrocketing prices to scare young families out of Vernon,” said Stewart. Immediate residents had worried the new subdivision, on 69 acres, would be accessed by Longacre and Apollo roads. However, the plan now calls for a new route to the east. “They wanted a new road to improve safety and we’ve done that,” said Stewart. Residents on the top side of Apollo Road had also expressed concern about privacy if the present grazing lands become housing. But Stewart says the design now has trails and parks along the property line. “It will give them a buffer and there will be quite a distance before there are homes. They will still have privacy.”

Questions have revolved around sewer, and Stewart says existing residents can enter into discussions with the city to possibly connect to the service. The next step for the corporation is to apply to the city for zoning over the next six months and present its development plan. Installation of water, sewer and roads could begin in late 2010. “After that, it will take us awhile to sell off the property to developers. We’re probably talking a 20-year timeline (for build-out),” said Stewart. Because development is long-term, Stewart believes that has also alleviated opposition from some of the public. “When they realize it could be 15 or 20 years before something happens behind their house, they calm down and say they may not be there in 10 years,” he said.