Cities all over California have a mandate to create affordable housing, and the city of San Clemente is stepping forward with plans to develop what it calls “workforce housing.” The City Council has approved plans for Serra Workforce Housing, a $7.3 million three-story, 19-unit apartment complex on four vacant lots on Avenida Serra in downtown San Clemente.
The concept is to provide housing affordable for persons working in San Clemente who otherwise could not afford to live in the city. Rent is expected to be $988 per month for a one-bedroom apartment with a single parking space.
Objecting to the project is the San Clemente Historical Society and several downtown petitioners who claim the project would be “overwhelming” for the two-story downtown area. The downtown petitioners would rather have the four vacant lots used for 41 parking spaces for use by downtown shoppers.