Hard Hats Are On!

Veterans, young adults who have left foster care, and families with children are one step closer to permanent housing as construction has begun on Park Haven Plaza.

Thanks to Novin Construction, the area is ready, due to thoughtful and strong protection from the intense January storms. Construction on nearby retaining walls is beginning, and pre-construction on the podium that will cradle the building is in development.

The best news, however, is what is happening offsite. Novin Development Corp.'s Park Haven Plaza is utilizing pioneering modular construction methods, developed by Vallejo’s Factory OS, that use the same materials and are designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built multifamily buildings — but in almost half the time. We plan to open our interest list next summer for people who need homes the most.

Park Haven Plaza’s construction is an example of how innovation can bring more housing units to California in a timely manner. For questions or concerns related to the construction work, please contact info@novindevelopment.com or call (925) 344-6244.

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Collaboration and Status

Park Haven Plaza is a unique collaboration between Novin Development Corp., the Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing, the County of Santa Cruz, and Abode Services, which will provide onsite support services to residents, including resources on where to get financial aid for vets and students wanting to attend school, as well as addiction and mental health referrals. The site will be managed by FPI Property Management Inc., which will provide a full-time resident manager on the premises.As part of the Homekey and AB 2162 ministerial review process, the County’s Development Review Group (DRG) has reviewed the initial project plans submitted by the applicant for compliance with “objective” standards.

The project has been approved by the County at this point. Since it received a Homekey award, it may apply for building permits due to the streamlining provided by AB 140 and AB 2162. If the project meets requirements of AB 2162, it must be approved through a ministerial process. These laws are very clear and very prescriptive – there can be no discretionary hearings if the project meets the applicable objective requirements. In that case, the County can’t legally deny it.
The DRG provided the applicant team with technical comments and conditions of approval that will be required to ensure its compliance with applicable objective standards, as required by AB 2162 and AB 140.
The AB 2162 application submitted to the DRG included several requested concessions/waivers pursuant to State density bonus law and County code chapter 17.12, as allowed by AB 2162.
No issues were identified by the DRG that would be grounds for denial of the concessions or the project as a whole. Further, AB 140 deems all Homekey-funded projects as in compliance with all local land use regulations, policies, zoning codes, etc.
The local jurisdiction – the County of Santa Cruz bears the burden of proof if it wishes to deny requests for concessions in a density bonus application. A recent Court of Appeals case in the California 4th Appellate District sustained the City of San Diego’s approval of a project in similar circumstances.

Who Will Collaborate on Park Haven Plaza?

As mentioned, Park Haven Plaza will be a unique collaboration between the State of California, the County of Santa Cruz, the Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing, Abode Services, FPI Property Management and Novin Development. The principal developer, Novin Development, is an experienced sponsor and developer of mixed-income multi-family projects that focus on achieving goals centered on social responsibility and environmental sustainability. NDC’s Founder and Principal, Iman Novin, has worked in affordable housing for over 16 years, serving in important roles for two of California’s largest non-profit affordable housing companies, where he participated in the acquisition, entitlement and construction of over 1,500 units throughout California prior to starting Novin Development. Novin Development has a current pipeline of over 500 units of affordable housing across the Bay Area. Novin Development has local offices in Santa Cruz County.

How will be 2838 Park Avenue be Funded?

This unique development will be funded through the California Department of Housing and Community Development Homekey Program, Santa Cruz County, the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County and private sponsor funds.