California Mandates Clash with Local Opposition in Lemoore Housing Standoff
By Jerry Hawker
LEMOORE, Calif. — Facing a looming Thursday deadline from the state, Lemoore city officials are scrambling to finalize a low-income housing roadmap or risk aggressive legal action from Sacramento.
The conflict centers on low-income housing projects in the city, such as the new 101unit Smith Ave. Apartments. While the project was intended to help the city meet California’s strict housing mandates, it has received negative feedback from neighbors.
Residents, organizing largely through the Lemoore Citizens Group on Facebook, have voiced concerns that increased housing density will lead to higher crime rates, diminished property values, and a loss of privacy for neighboring backyards.
“Affordable housing allows families to live peacefully,” said Roseann Ordonez, a supporter of the project.
Ordonez continued, “nobody is looking in your backyard. They’re too busy with their kids. That small-town stuff is wild to me.”
Also, at the April 7th city council meeting, a measure was waived that would have raised the residential density zoning on champion street south of highway 198. This would have allowed construction to begin on a 80-lot housing project that would aid the effort in meeting the state’s 6th cycle housing element requirements.
Anti-low income sentiment isn’t the only pressure point. Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued a notice of violation to the city, demanding a finalized housing plan by the end of the week.
Lemoore Mayor Patricia Matthews pushed back against the state’s characterization of the city’s efforts.
“It did make it seem like we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do, and that’s false,” Matthews said.
“We have done…we’ve gone over and above,” Matthews said.
The City Council held a study session Wednesday night to further refine the Champion Street project ahead of a scheduled May 5 vote. Despite the local progress, the state’s Thursday deadline remains unchanged, leaving the city in a precarious race against the clock.
Mayor Matthews and City Manager Marissa Trejo have not yet provided further comment on how the city intends to reconcile the local pushback with the state’s immediate demands.