UPDATE: The City Council voted 3-1 to support the project. Councilmember Blanca Pacheco dissented and Alex Saab was absent.

DOWNEY – A developer’s request to redevelop a pair of single-family homes into multi-unit housing now lies in the hands of the City Council. 

Council members on Tuesday will consider realtor Don Jervis’ application to rezone the properties located at 10221 Downey Avenue and 10303 Downey Avenue, located adjacent to each other just south of Florence Avenue. 

Up to 14 units would be built in their place if the zoning change is approved. Combined, the lots total 36,000 square feet. 

The properties need to be rezoned to R-2 (two-family residential) to facilitate the redevelopment. Downey’s Planning Commission already rejected the application, finding that the rezoning would not be consistent with the goals of Downey’s General Plan. 

Residents previously submitted letters to Downey planning officials in opposition to the proposed units. 

“The traffic on Downey Avenue has increased, perhaps with the construction of the new complexes on 2nd and 3rd as well as the huge complex on Paramount,” wrote resident Donna Carkeek. “I also frequently walk around the neighborhood and, on La Reina in particular, cars park up to the stops and on the corner blocking the sidewalks for crossing…

“The addition of 14 units on those lots will only add to the parking and traffic congestion.” 

George and Donna Boose also cited parking difficulties in their opposition to the rezoning. 

“We invite you to visit the neighborhood at various times during the day and you will witness cars double parked, intruding onto driveways and curbs painted red, in front of fire hydrants, etc.,” the couple wrote.  

The City Council will consider the application at its meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.