Will Council Quash Very High Density Housing?

Aliso Viejo's housing committee announced it was no longer looking into 4 Orion as a possible site for very-high density housing, meeting attendants said Wednesday.

The decision to no longer pursue 4 Orion would put an end to months of confrontation with nearby residents, as well as church and school communities that would be affected.

The decision was not on the meeting agenda, so it could not be put up for a vote, said former General Plan Advisory Committee member Steven Spiegel.

"They gave the promise 4 Orion was off the table for very high density residential," he said. "They basically came to their senses."

The lot at 4 Orion near Aliso Viejo Christian School is the smaller of two being considered by the city for zoning that would allow 30-50 units per acre of apartments. The second space is at 2C Liberty.

To meet the state's requirements, Aliso Viejo needs to identify 9.13 acres of land for high-density zoning, enough for 274 more low-income units at 30 units per acre, consultant John Douglas said in a previous meeting. He said the city is 95 percent built-out, making available land scarce.