Cypress is asking its residents in the November election to approve new housing plans for the Los Alamitos Race Course, where new homes could one day be built.
Measure S asks voters to approve zoning changes to allow an additional 676 homes, for a total of 1,791 at the race course. The measure updates the city’s housing element, the blueprint that lays out where new homes can be built.
The City Council had approved its state-required housing element in 2022. Voter approval is needed for the part of the plan that changes zoning at and around the race course under 2018’s Measure A town center plan.
Proponents for Measure S argue it will make it easier for future generations to have more housing opportunities where it has become unaffordable for many to buy a home.
“More homeowners means more property tax revenue to support schools, road maintenance, public safety, and parks and recreation,” supporters wrote in ballot arguments. “Measure S will also strengthen Cypress’ economy by bringing new customers to our business community and providing housing for employees in our business parks.”
The city needs to zone for more homes to comply with state law.
If Measure S doesn’t pass, the city will pursue a failsafe plan to add more housing on Lincoln Avenue. That plan, city officials say, would allow tall buildings on Lincoln Avenue and more housing overall by zoning for an additional 766 units on the corridor than the 1,643 currently zoned.
Though the city is zoning for more housing, private developers would have to want to build to see those homes get constructed.
Opponents say the city already has the Lincoln Avenue failsafe plan and Measure S makes it even less likely for new restaurants or shops to be built around the race track area if housing is its focus.
“This measure will permanently alter the character of Cypress without providing affordable housing,” residents against the measure wrote in ballot arguments. “While the state requires the city to plan for close to 4,000 additional residential units, who do you know that wants them?”
City Manager Peter Grant warned at a July council meeting that not approving these plans could make the race course a target for state officials to require several thousand more homes in future planning cycles.
There are no immediate plans to shutter the race course.
A simple majority of voters in support would pass the measure.
