Antioch Council to Vote on Controversial Housing Projects Today

URGENT UPDATE: The Antioch City Council is set to reconsider two highly controversial housing projects today, September 26, 2023, amid ongoing concerns over alleged corruption linked to the developer, DeNova Homes Inc.. This critical meeting follows a tense session last month where councilmembers expressed frustration over state mandates dictating housing approvals.

Today’s discussions will focus on the Slatten Ranch Townhomes and Wildflower Station Townhomes 2, both proposed multifamily residential developments. The council’s decision could have immediate consequences for the community and set a precedent regarding housing regulations in Antioch.

During the September council meeting, local officials raised alarms over the implications of Senate Bill 330, which limits local governments’ ability to reject housing projects. Mayor Ron Bernal described the situation as a first-hand experience of the law’s effects, stating, “We are more or less mandated to approve projects, whether we like them or not.”

Concerns are particularly high due to DeNova Homes’ connections to a corruption scandal. In April, federal prosecutors charged the company’s former owner and vice president with attempting to bribe an unidentified Antioch councilmember in a separate housing initiative. This raised red flags among residents and councilmembers about the integrity of the current proposals.

Councilmember Donald Freitas voiced strong opposition, suggesting a delay in decision-making to allow for further review. “People elect us to make decisions that benefit the community. I don’t think these two projects benefit the community,” he stated. Freitas emphasized the need for a long-term perspective, warning that the developments could undermine economic growth in Antioch.

Legal counsel for DeNova Homes, Dan Golub, countered the objections, asserting that the council has no legal grounds to deny the projects. He cited the Housing Accountability Act, which stipulates that housing developments meeting objective standards can only be rejected under strict conditions related to public health or safety risks.

The Slatten Ranch Townhomes project is slated to create 129 townhome units on a 6.41-acre parcel, while the Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 is part of a broader 23-acre development that includes single-family homes and commercial spaces. Both projects have been designed to align with Antioch’s General Plan and zoning regulations.

As the council prepares to make a decision, the outcome remains uncertain, but the stakes are high for Antioch residents who are grappling with the implications of these developments. The council’s vote today will either move the projects forward or delay them further, impacting the community’s housing landscape.

Stay tuned for updates as the Antioch City Council convenes to address these pressing issues. The outcome will be pivotal not only for local housing but also for the future governance of development in the city.