To engage the public, the City of Cypress hosted two open houses for residents to learn more about State housing mandates and ask questions about the planning process and upcoming measure.

The meetings were held at the Cypress Community Center on the following dates: 

June 1, 2024 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

June 5, 2024 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Under California state regulations, the City of Cypress must plan for 3,936 new housing units to fulfill State housing requirements. Through the Housing Element update process,  the City determined dividing the allocation between the Lincoln Ave Specific Plan and the yet-to-be redeveloped Cypress Town Center and Commons Specific Plan had the best opportunity for meaningful housing production during the 2021-2029 Housing Element cycle.

Below is a map indicating where the new housing units are planned:

If the amendment isn’t passed by voters then the City will be forced to add an additional 733 units along the already dense Lincoln Avenue.

Here is a revised map detailing the location of the additional residential units on Lincoln Avenue: 

The two maps illustrate the difference in density between the two options.

You can view the proposed amended Cypress Town Center and Commons Specific Plan HERE. These amendments facilitate the increase in density on the Los Alamitos Race Course.

If communities such as Cypress fail to plan for sufficient housing, the State will override local governments and impose housing projects without regard for location or community character. Losing local control of planning decisions to the State could have detrimental impacts on our City for generations to come.

Additional housing will not only meet State mandates and preserve local control, it will also benefit Cypress and its residents.

In the last 40 years, Cypress’s population has stagnated, and declining school enrollment has led to several school closures.

Additional housing will enable more families the opportunity to live in Cypress and help support our local public schools by increasing the student population.

New housing will also strengthen our local economy and increase tax revenue to support essential City services, like road maintenance, public safety and parks and recreation — all with no new taxes for residents.

The City conducted in-depth studies of all the options to meet State housing requirements, including gathering public input through community listening sessions. Through this process, the City determined that providing additional housing opportunities at the Los Alamitos Race Course provides the most benefits to the community, with the least impact on existing neighborhoods. The City is not responsible for the cost or construction of the homes.

If this potential measure does not pass, the City will have to increase the residential zoning along Lincoln Avenue from the eastern to the western city limit by an additional 733 units to meet State housing requirements.

Ahead of the City Council’s vote to place this item on the ballot in July, the City is providing public information and soliciting resident feedback.

The City Council is expected to place the measure on the November 2024 ballot in July.

As the City continues to explore its options, we want to hear from you!

If you have questions or input that you would like to share, please contact Alicia Velasco, Director of Planning at avelasco@cypressca.org.

The City of Cypress is facing challenges related to the rising cost of living, particularly housing, and is required by California law to plan for 3,936 new housing units.

As the cost of living, including the cost of housing, continues to rise, Cypress joins many other cities in the region struggling to provide housing for young families and to support our schools and employers. As a matter of fact, California law mandates the City of Cypress meet State requirements and plan to accommodate 3,936 new housing units.

To address this shortfall, Cypress residents will likely vote in November 2024 on an important ballot measure to increase the number of permitted housing units on the Los Alamitos Race Course property. Under California law, the City of Cypress must plan for 3,936 new housing units to fulfill State housing requirements. Through the Housing Element update process, the City determined that an additional 676 units could be planned in the Cypress Town Center and Commons 2.0 Specific Plan (CTCC) by increasing density on the Los Alamitos Race Course property upon redevelopment.

Failure to comply with State housing requirements could lead to the City losing its local planning authority.

If communities such as Cypress fail to plan for sufficient housing, the State will allow developers to override local government control and impose housing projects without regard for location or community character. Losing local control of planning decisions could have detrimental impacts on our City for generations to come.

More housing could benefit the community by supporting schools, the local economy and essential City services without increasing taxes.

Additional housing will not only meet State mandates and preserve local control, it will also benefit

Cypress and its residents. In the last 40 years, Cypress’s population has stagnated, and declining school enrollment has led to several school closures. Additional housing will enable more families the opportunity to live in Cypress and help support our local public schools by increasing the student population. New housing will also strengthen our local economy and increase tax revenue to support essential City services, like road maintenance, public safety and parks and recreation — all with no new taxes for residents.

The City conducted in-depth studies of all the options to meet State housing requirements, including gathering public input through community listening sessions. Through this process, the City determined that providing additional housing opportunities at the Los Alamitos Race Course provides the most benefits to the community, with the least impact on existing neighborhoods. The City is not responsible for the cost or construction of the homes.

If the ballot measure fails, additional housing will be required along Lincoln Avenue.

 If this potential ballot measure does not pass, the City will have to increase the residential zoning along

Lincoln Avenue from the eastern to the western city limit by an additional 733 units to meet State

housing requirements.

No, this potential measure is not a new tax. It will not increase taxes for residents.

While no final decisions have been made, the City is exploring placing the measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot for voters to consider.

Ahead of the City Council’s vote to place this item on the ballot in July, the City is providing public information and soliciting resident feedback. This includes website updates, an informational video, direct mailers and community meetings. The City Council is expected to place the measure on the November 2024 ballot in July.

As the City continues to explore its options, we want to hear from you! If you have questions or input that you would like to share, please contact Alicia Velasco, Director of Planning at avelasco@cypressca.org.