City Approves Affordable Housing Units Near John Wayne Airport

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A new housing development will start taking shape near John Wayne Airport.

Newport Beach City council members voted 6-0 on July 28 to approve Down Townhomes, a 132-unit for-sale residential community spread across 36 detached three- and four-story buildings on a 6.5-acre site.

The site is located on 1200 and 1300 Dove St. and 4041 MacArthur Blvd. and includes seven affordable units for very low-income households, according to city staff.

According to the city, other Airport Area projects include construction of parks and payment of more than $17 million in park in-lieu fees.

"As we move forward with the specific plan for the Airport Area, we'll continue to work towards locating additional opportunities for parks to serve the future residents," Director of Community Development Jaime Murillo said at the meeting.

According to city staff, plans to further the housing project call for the demolition of two existing office buildings and an existing parking structure.

Each unit will have a two-car garage, with 40 guest parking spaces for a total of 304 on-site spaces.