City council members across Orange County have spent the past several years grappling with state-mandated housing numbers and how to best maintain local control for housing developments.

It comes while state leaders pass new laws aimed at pushing forward residential units.

Earlier this year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that removes some environmental review regulations for developers to speed up housing production across the state. In 2021, Newsom signed SB 9, which allows homeowners in single-family neighborhoods to have a total of four units on their property.

Council members in San Juan Capistrano, one of the oldest towns in Orange County, have discussed several residential developments while trying to balance the need for housing and projects that match the city’

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