By Mary O’KEEFE

The developer of the property at the northwest corner of Briggs Avenue and Foothill Boulevard has sent flyers to some residents announcing a public meeting on Nov. 6 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library.

The development at 2413 Foothill Blvd., where the La Crescenta Motel now stands, was proposed as a five-story, 80-unit residential project that includes four studio units, 52 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units. Of that, one studio, three one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units would be for extremely low-income households. One one-bedroom unit will be reserved as a manager’s unit. 

This project is utilizing provisions of State Density Bonus law (created by SB 9), which was established to encourage the production of affordable and senior housing in California, as well as SB 9 and SB 35, which were enacted to increase statewide affordable and senior housing production. 

According to the LA County Planning permit, “On April 17, 2024 the Director of Regional Planning approved the Administrative Housing permit [at 2413 Foothill Blvd.] and Ministerial Site Plan Review to authorize an 80-unit apartment building with an affordable housing set-aside.”  

CVW wrote an article on Sept. 4 concerning this development; at that time LA County Planning stated: “The project has not been submitted to LA County for a plan check,” according to a spokesperson.

According to the property developers Abode Communities, “La Crescenta Apartments is envisioned as a 100% affordable residential community serving individuals and families with household incomes between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income in Los Angeles County. The 1.08-acre site is located at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Briggs Avenue on the site of the La Crescenta Motel. The development will provide 80 apartment rental homes, including 39 one-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom, and 20 three-bedroom homes, with one two-bedroom reserved for an onsite community manager. Twenty-five (25) homes will be designated for Transition-Aged Youth (TAY).”

There had been talk that the project would provide housing for foster youth; however, the project appears to be geared more toward young adults who were in foster care who are no longer part of that system. 

“The five-story building will include resident amenities such as a courtyard, recreation room, gym, lobby, management offices and spaces for on-site resident (social) services. Eighty (80) semi-subterranean parking spaces will be offered. Parking will be accessible to the west along Foothill Boulevard. With the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), Transition Aged Youth refers to young adults, typically between the ages of 18 and 24, who are leaving or have recently left the foster care system. These youth face a high risk of homelessness without proper support,” according to the Abode website. 

Abode Communities was founded in1968. It emphasizes it has affordable homes, which increases economic mobility, improves student outcomes and empowers residents to seek and achieve personal goals, according to its website. 

The changes to this project were not known, or not shared, earlier when CVW made its initial request in September.

“Supervisor Barger’s office was recently informed by the project’s developer that the scope and design of the proposed affordable housing project in La Crescenta have been revised in response to community feedback received on earlier plans,” according to the office of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. 

According to the developer, key updates include: a revised project scope and description, updated renderings and proposed floor plans and a transition of the project to 100% affordable housing. 

The Nov. 6 meeting is a requirement of the public funding process. The purpose of this meeting is to present the revised project and gather community feedback. 

“Once the outreach requirement is met, the developer may proceed with public funding applications and, ultimately, seek Board consideration for potential project funding. Following financing approval, the developer would then submit project plans to the County for land use entitlement and building permit review,” according to Barger. 

Supervisor Barger strongly encourages residents to attend the upcoming meeting to hear directly from the developer and provide feedback on the updated proposal.

“Our communities deserve to have accurate information and a voice in shaping local projects that affect their neighborhoods. I encourage La Crescenta residents to attend the Nov. 6 meeting, listen to the updated plans and share their perspectives directly with the developer,” according to Supervisor Barger.

According to a LACDA representative, the project will reserve units for Transition Age Youth (homeless or at risk) and affordable units for families. Supportive Services will be available for all tenants. The project was submitted during NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) 31 in March 2025.

The LACDA is not hosting any community meetings. The Nov. 6 meeting and any future meetings will be hosted by the developer (Abode Communities), according to the representative.

CVW has reached out to Abode Communities but did not hear back as of press time. 

For more information on the project go to https://abodecommunities.org/.

La Crescenta Library is located at 2809 Foothill Blvd.