By Mary O’KEEFE

The development project that has been proposed for the northwest corner of Briggs Avenue and Foothill Boulevard has caused community members to raise their voices in concern about the size of the project as well as the transitional-aged youth (TAY) aspect of the residents at the complex. 

The project’s developer, Abode, is currently working to schedule a date to present an update to the Crescenta Valley Town Council. The status of the project remains the same as when it was presented to the community during a November meeting; no permits have been issued by the County. There are applications pending with two public agencies (LACDA and LACAHSA) for consideration for public funding assistance. The developer has not submitted a building permit application, according to LA County. 

The proposal is for a five-story, 80-unit building of affordable rental housing to be built on the site. Of these apartments, 25 will be set aside for transitional-aged youth 18 to 24 years old who must have a juvenile living with them – either their own child or a child for whom they are caring. There will be one apartment set aside for a manager. The development will have 80 parking spaces.

The Crescenta Valley Town Council Land Use Committee held a meeting in November 2025 which had in attendance those involved in the development including the project’s architect, LA County Regional Planning, LA County Public Works, Abode Communities (the developer and owner of the property) and Upward Bound, the organization working with TAY. 

The standing room only audience voiced a variety of concerns regarding the proposed project including fire evacuation, parking and water infrastructure and wanted more explanation as to what would be done in support of the TAY population. But the universal concern was the size of the complex.

“This property was originally [intended] for an 80-unit multifamily development. When Abode Communities assumed site control, we performed a feasibility analysis to confirm that 80 units is the most appropriate density for this location,” said Maegan Pearson from Abode in an earlier interview. 

Since that meeting the concerns have continued, including a rumor that “the project is absolutely going to be completed.”

“Under SB 35, authored by State Senator Scott Wiener, the state created a streamlined path for certain housing projects to move forward without going through the traditional local approval process. The intent was to accelerate the production of housing, including affordable units. That means qualifying developments can be built if they meet clear state standards, even if a city or county does not grant discretionary approval,” according to a spokesperson from the office of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. 

Eventually this project will have to go before the LA County Board of Supervisors. To email general concerns and opinions to the chair of the board/the office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, email AbodeProject@bos.lacounty.gov.