Council OKs Homes on 172 Acres in Peralta Hills

The Peralta Hills soon could be alive with the sound of hammers and earth-moving equipment if housing plans receive final approval in the months ahead.

The City Council this weeksigned off on a 172-acre subdivision that spans both sides of Serrano Avenue and could eventually include 902 hillside homes.

Plans for the parcel, which is difficult to develop because of its terrain, have come before the city in one form or another since 1987, planning officials said.

Now, a Newport Beach company, California Quartet, has submitted plans to build 223 single-family homes, with an additional 679 units possible in the future.

Public works director Harry W. Thomas said the city has had geology reports independently reviewed. Experts will still need to monitor for slide conditions, he added.

“I think we have done our due diligence, and I think it’s time to get closure on this,” Councilman Mike Spurgeon said.

The council voted 5-0 to let the plan proceed.