Urban or Land Development Project

The Groves is a new 75-unit, three-story senior affordable apartment community on 3.85 acres in San Juan Capistrano, developed by C&C Development. This active adult community offers one- and two-bedroom apartment homes for seniors (62 years and older) meeting income qualification requirements. Ten of the units have been reserved for previously homeless seniors. The Groves amenities include a community center, BBQ pavilion, dog park and exercise facility, as well as both active and passive green open space, with easy access to the adjacent Trabuco Creek Trail. Seniors at The Groves have access to nearby public transportation and shopping. 

 The City Council approved a development agreement with C&C Development to sell the property at the northwest corner of Camino Capistrano and Junipero Serra Road for $4.1 million. The Groves Affordable Senior Apartment project was built for $30 million. Laura Stokes, San Juan Capistrano housing supervisor and associate planner, said that investing in this apartment complex is a great benefit because, “it adds to (the affordable housing) stock, and is a good location for public transportation for seniors.”

The project posed several engineering challenges. As The Groves is directly adjacent to Trabuco Creek, there were FEMA Flood Zone requirements, including a conservation easement and biofiltration basin. Additionally, the project is situated near railroad tracks on a steep hillside, so the team developed solutions for significant design challenges related to site grading, with extensive retaining walls and ADA ramp configurations.