164-unit condo project gets green light by commission

The Hesperia Planning Commission last Thursday gave the green light for a two-story, 164-unit condominium project near Main Street between Topaz and Tamarisk avenues.

The commission voted 4-0 in favor (commissioner Bill Jensen was absent) on the development’s site plan review and tentative tract. Newport Beach-based Granite Springs was the applicant on the medium density residential project.

“We’ve worked on this project for a long time,” said Robert Mahony, chief financial officer for the Lucas General Contracting Corp., which owns Granite Springs.

The project, which will be built in three phases on 15 acres, will feature detached units built in three styles — spanish, craftsman and mediterranean. Units will range in size from 1,300 to 1,900 square feet and have private rear yards.

Commission chairman Chris Elvert led a discussion on whether tenants should be allowed to park in front of their garages during the day. Commissioner Paul Russ, who said he served on a unnamed condo association board of directors, said that disallowing daytime parking in front of garages could lead to problems. A few residents may become overly focused on the rules, which would lead to disharmony in the neighborhood and numerous calls to the association said.

“Some of these things need to be worked out,” Mahony said. “We haven’t written the CC&R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) yet.”

Mahony also said his firm’s similar projects near Los Angeles have held their value, and their use of cul-de-sacs lend a neighborly feel.

“It’s a tested product,” he said. “It provides a safe environment that the community would like.”

Mahony also spoke about the Lucas Companies’ four decade-long history.

“A company of 40 years backs a project.”