A new housing development might be coming to Mission Viejo — next to Saddleback College — after city officials locked down an agreement that gives a developer access to inspect the property in preparation for building plans.
Mission Viejo officials are moving ahead with the property access agreement with Trumark Homes, which might develop a 22.8-acre city-owned property next to Saddleback College and the city’s animal shelter.
The project could help the city meet part of its state-mandated housing goals, since at least 20% of the units are expected to be set aside for low-income residents — a four-person household making less than roughly $136,000 a year.
Mission Viejo City Council members unanimously approved the property access agreement at their meeting on April 14, giving the developer the ability to inspect the site while they study exactly what kind of housing project could be proposed there.
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Currently, the site consists of natural, undeveloped hills and slopes. The city’s housing element says that only about six acres of the site might be developed with about 215 housing units.
City officials said the project represents a key step toward meeting state housing requirements while expanding the local housing supply, particularly for lower-income households.
The site is currently jointly owned by the Mission Viejo Housing Authority and the city and was identified in the city’s housing element as a potential site for future housing.
The housing element is a long-term planning document that outlines how local officials intend to meet regional housing needs through 2029.
Officials in Mission Viejo — which has a population of about 90,000 — have been tasked by the state with zoning for 2,217 new homes, with 1,075 of those being set aside for low-, very-low and extremely-low-income families.
In Orange County, low-income for a four-person household would be an annual income of $135,350 or less, according to state housing income limits for 2025.
Following a Surplus Land Act process that drew interest from four development teams, the city selected Trumark Homes to move forward in negotiations. The Irvine-based developer has been granted a 120-day Property Access Agreement to evaluate the site’s feasibility for development.
During that period, Trumark will conduct environmental and technical studies, including soil testing and biological assessments, to determine whether the property can support residential construction and identify any potential constraints.
Eric Nelson, vice president of Trumark Homes, said that this project is one of a kind.
“The unique part about this is the mixed-income development,” Nelson said during the April meeting. “It would be 30% affordable to low-income and the remaining would be market rate.”
Nelson said he has taken the council members’ concerns about parking into account as he continues to move forward with this project.
“We don’t know the plan yet, but we focus heavily on making sure there’s enough parking,” Nelson said.
Councilmember Brian Goodell said Nelson has experience developing houses in South Orange County.
“Just for everyone’s comfort level, Eric has thorough knowledge of how the city governments work here in south county and has been serving the community of Dana Point for many years,” Goodell said.
The item is expected to return to the city council later this year with a formal purchase and development agreement outlining project details, including the number and type of housing units.
The council will consider approving the agreement and allow the project to move forward likely this upcoming fall.