The Jan. 25 meeting lasted until 11 p.m., when Brea’s planning commissioners recommended the Brea Plaza project proceed to the City Council for consideration.
Council members will be asked to either approve or reject the changes needed to transform the 15.5-acre site from a commercial center to Mixed Use 1, allowing the addition of an 8-story apartment complex and a parking structure.
Last fall, BOSC Realty Advisors, owners of Brea Plaza, first presented to the Planning Commission its 189-apartment project with flex-shared offices above the Grand Salon. The project would require demolishing the vacant movie theater at the rear of the center and its adjacent parking lot.
Many residents of Glenbrook, the neighborhood closest to the Brea Plaza, expressed disapproval of changing the shopping center to Mixed Use 1. Their complains were mainly adding eight stories of apartments, and the resulting traffic that could mean for the center and nearby streets and the chance of cut-through traffic through their residential streets. Valid concerns.
At the Jan. 25 meeting BOSC offered significant changes to the project. Instead of 189 apartments, there would be 161. Changes to the eighth floor resulted in nine apartments instead of the originally proposed 39.
“The balance of the rooftop will only be seven floors, with the pool and amenities on the roof top,” Waad Nadhir, BOSC president, said via email.
Nadhir said other changes were also made due to local residents’ opposition expressed at the Oct. 26 meeting, including eliminating the shared office space above the Grand Salon, the co-living apartments with four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.
“Although we do not agree with the opposition to these items, we have tried our best to compromise in the spirit of being good neighbor,” said Nadhir.
He added there would be a 7,500-square-foot second floor above Grand Salon or Custom Comfort Mattress, “but this will be typical office or service retail.”
The apartments will be built above a 366-space parking garage.
Interestingly, at the Oct. 25 meeting, 25 people spoke against the project, only two spoke in favor of it. At the Jan. 25 meeting, 11 people spoke in favor of it, while six spoke in opposition, plus one letter in opposition was summarized into the record, according to Jason Killebrew, Brea’s community development director. There were several folks in the audience with signs against the project.
There are still traffic issues to be addressed, including turning left from the center onto Associated Road. Maybe that’s a good spot for a three-way stop. The project also includes 130 bicycle spots and ride-share vehicle spots.
Maybe many of the residents won’t drive much, or make daily work commutes.
Home-based business continues to grow. Brea’s Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed 23 new members; 11 home-based. No daily commute for them.
Avalon Bay Brea Place’s mixed-use complex nears completion. Have you seen its Art in Public Places piece, “Pollination” by Dixie Friend Gay? So colorful and fun with 20-foot sculptured florals and a mosaic of vivid blossoms.
Gay says to imagine a bee flying around to pollinate them. From messages on Nextdoor.com, some people would rather spray them with weed killer. Give it a chance. I bet it will grow on you.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at [email protected].