Lennar Corp. is set to face the first public test of its grand vision for Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle when it goes before the city’s Planning Commission on Wednesday.
Not a very hard test, since the Miami-based homebuilder is likely to get a warm reception.
Several commissioners last week expressed strong support for housing in the commercial district. Some said the area near Angel Stadium is the best place for condominium high-rises,a cornerstone of Lennar’s plans.
“We want to see high-rise development,” said Kelly Buffa, a planning commissioner. “I hope Lennar is bringing forward a great project.”
The homebuilder, which has regional offices in Aliso Viejo, is betting heavily on the Platinum Triangle. Industry sources said it’s paid more than $4 million an acre for land and has acquired about 60 acres.
Lennar officials were unavailable for comment last week.
On Wednesday, Lennar is set to discuss plans for a key site between Katella Avenue and Gene Autry Way, where it plans 2,681 condos and apartments. The plan also calls for 150,000 square feet of shops and offices along a proposed central street, dubbed Market Street.
There it plans several towers, ranging from 24 to 35 stories.
A portion of Lennar’s land lies along Betmor Lane outside of the area designated by the city for housing. Lennar is asking the commission to change the designation there from office space to housing mixed with other uses.
The company also is asking for the city’s environmental impact report to cover its proposal, for condo-style hotels and schools to be allowed, and for a maximum height of 400 feet.
Last month Lennar filed plans with the city for another site in the Platinum Triangle, where it plans 1,132 homes, including three towers. One high-rise could be 450 feet, or 38 stories, becoming the tallest residential building in the county.
In Santa Ana, developer Michael Harrah plans a 493-foot office tower that would be 37 stories.
Plans for Lennar’s site at State College Boulevard and Orange Wood Avenue, directly across from the stadium, are not going before the commission Wednesday.
Planning commissioners aren’t likely to simply rubber stamp Lennar’s plans.
Cecilia Flores, chairman pro-tempore of the commission, said she would like Lennar to do some affordable units. And Flores wants Lennar to indicate it’ll use labor,a euphemism for union workers,as Harrah has promised to do in Santa Ana.
“I am a very big supporter of labor,” she said.
Some resistance, and in a few cases hostility, toward Lennar’s plans are coming from area businesses. The homebuilder has displaced more than 100 small businesses, many of whom were renting space.
A couple of business owners have refused to sell to Lennar, and the builder is planning around their sites.
Still, city officials said they are not using eminent domain to force anyone to sell to Lennar.
“This whole thing is market driven,” said Gail Eastman, chairwoman of the commission.
Eastman said she’s on vacation this week and can’t attend the meeting.
