The subject property is a ±33,088 SF parcel of land located at 8825 Calmada Avenue in the city of Whittier. The site is improved with a single-story warehouse of 9,064 SF that was built in 1950.

Zoning for this property is defined in the Whittier Blvd Specific Plan and this site has a zoning designation of Center District. In general, Center District zoning provides opportunities for the redevelopment of underutilized commercial properties by allowing more compact mixed-use developments. Allowable uses within the Center District include residential uses other than detached SFRs, day care/residential care facilities, and a wide range of commercial and service uses among other various uses. Center District zoning does not allow for any industrial uses.

In regard to the General Plan, the Whittier City Council formally adopted the new 2021-2040 Envision Whittier General Plan and 2021-2029 Housing Element on October 12, 2021. The city has forwarded their 2021-2029 Housing Element to the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for finalization which will be pending until the document is certified by HCD. Within this updated Housing Element, the city identifies the subject property in their “RHNA Sites Inventory” with a proposed zone change to MU-1 (with a residential density of between 20-30 dwelling units/acre).

Density of 30 du/acre would yield a unit count of 22 units on the subject property, independent of any bonus densities allowed. The subject property is located in southern Whittier one block south of Whittier Blvd. which is a busy commercial arterial through the city. Directly to the north of the subject property is a brand new 5,920 square foot retail center (under construction) and directly to the south of the site is the Whittier Seventh Day Adventist Church. The neighborhood to the south and to the west of the property is composed almost entirely of well maintained, detached single-family homes.

As with most of Los Angeles County, the city of Whittier is largely built out and the development market is extremely supply-restricted. With the overall scarcity of available development sites in the Whittier market, this property should be an attractive opportunity for those developers looking to build a small infill residential or mixed-use project in a desirable Los Angeles County location.