Homepage - Royal Vista Residential Project

Proposed Project

The land for the Royal Vista Golf Club is currently split between multiple landowners who lease it to a course operator. Unfortunately, the Royal Vista Golf Club has struggled to remain profitable and can no longer afford to maintain all 27 holes. (An agreement to operate it as a golf course expired in 2016.)

Knowing this, the owners of the eastern section of the course are interested in rededicating their portion of the land to badly-needed housing, open space, and trails. The plan includes 200 single-family detached homes, 58 duplex homes, 30 triplex homes, and 72 townhome units, with wide, landscaped recreational trail areas separating the new development from existing neighboring homes. The plan provides a range of new housing options for local families, including an affordable housing component.

The Royal Vista clubhouse and rest of the golf course would be unaffected by this plan, while most of the project’s immediate neighbors would retain views of maintained green space and new open spaces. Given the inevitable changes to the Royal Vista Golf Club, it is a solution created with the desire to preserve Rowland Heights’ community character and respect its existing neighborhoods.

Four Touchstones

Finding a balanced approach to the current and future needs of the community.

Royal Vista Golf Club is closing operations

It’s not a secret that for some time the golf course has been struggling, unable to afford needed course and clubhouse improvements and the land leases on all 27 holes. Royal Vista Golf Club is now operating on a month-by-month basis, temporarily subsidized by their landowners.

This development would only affect the eastern part of the course; the rest of the land and the clubhouse are owned by others and are not part of the Royal Vista Residential Project.

The area needs new housing for families and workers

Even as the Rowland Heights area continues to prosper economically, it’s falling further behind in providing enough new homes for professionals and families. The project’s diverse range of for-sale houses, duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes would meet a variety of homebuyer needs—and includes an affordable housing component. As part of its investment in the area’s future, it also funds improvements to public streets and sidewalks and upgrades street lighting and landscaping.

1/3 of the land dedicated to publicly accessible open space and trails

With over 28 acres of publicly accessible open space and wide greenway buffering them from the new homes, most of the adjacent neighbors will retain their private green views. The paseo recreational trail system / linear walking park will stretch over two miles and feature trees and extensive landscaping on either side. It minimizes the footprint of the new homes and honors the view of existing homeowners.

Repurpose the land for the community’s broadest benefit

As this portion of the Royal Vista Golf Club changes, it creates opportunities for the community to weigh in on how Rowland Heights should evolve, too. In proposing homes that are much more compatible with existing neighborhoods, this project put into practice past lessons from other, higher-density proposals. We will continue to listen, too, holding community meetings, providing FAQs on our website, and participating in public meetings and hearings.

Upcoming Public Events

UPDATE: Notice of Public Hearing: Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission

Hearing date and time:

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 9:00am

Hearing location:

Hall of Administration, 320 W. Temple Street, Room 150
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Virtual (Online) at bit.ly/ZOOM-RPC. By phone at (669) 444-9171 or (719) 359-4580 (ID: 858 6032 6429)

See project document s

Downloads

We will continue to update and expand the list of documents over time.

Project fact sheet (updated December 6, 2023)
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (LA County Planning Department website, updated May 28, 2024)

Past Meetings

December 13, 2023

In-person Community Meeting

December 11, 2023

In-person Community Meeting

December 6, 2022

In-person Community EIR Scoping Meeting

November 14, 2022

In-person Community Meeting

November 1, 2022

Online Community EIR Scoping Meeting

December 7, 2021

Online Community Informational Meeting

NOTE: Residential product types and quantities have been modified since the Dec. 7, 2021 community informational meeting.

Transcripts of the meeting are available in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish

October 19, 2021

Online Board of Supervisors Hearing

July 28, 2021

Online Regional Planning Commission Hearing

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Questions and comments from the Community Informational Meeting have been edited for brevity and to reduce redundancies. A full recording of the December 7^th meeting can be found above. In addition, some responses below have been modified based on recent Site Plan changes which increased the proposed number of residential units from 322 to 360.

How have you involved the community in the planning process?

Our community outreach for the Royal Vista Residential Project began in January 2021 when we met with the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council (RHCCC) Executive Committee to present the Project. At the conclusion of the meeting, we requested an opportunity to meet with the full RHCCC membership at an upcoming monthly RHCCC Meeting. The Executive Committee Leadership denied our request. We made the same request repeatedly, throughout 2021. Each request was denied. Because of the RHCCC Leadership’s continued lack of cooperation, the Department of Regional Planning Staff recommended that we schedule and host our own meeting with the community to present the Project and collect feedback, questions, and comments from the public. That community meeting took place on December 7, 2021. A complete recording of the presentation and public comment is available above.

Our public outreach has also included public meetings before both the Regional Planning Commission and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. For each meeting, the community was notified and encouraged to participate and comments and feedback were received. We will continue to listen, hold meetings, provide responses to questions on our website and participate in public meetings and hearings—both in-person and virtually in accordance with public health guidelines.

UPDATE: After the initial December 7, 2021 online informational meeting, the County held a virtual public Scoping Meeting for the Environmental Impact Report preparation on November 1, 2022. A second, in-person Scoping Meeting was held on December 6, 2022 at the Rowland Heights Community Center. Additionally, an in-person community meeting was held on November 14, 2022 at the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council (RHCCC) Meeting, located at the Rowland Heights Community Center.

We are pleased to announce a fifth community meeting on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 7pm, again held at the Rowland Heights Community Center and a sixth community meeting on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 7pm at the Royal Vista Golf Clubhouse Regency Room.

Why haven’t you held an in-person meeting?

During the outbreak of COVID-19, the County of Los Angeles closed many of its facilities and held its public meetings online. Both the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) reviewed all proposed development projects using virtual platforms during that time. The Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council (RHCCC) also employed virtual meetings.

By mid-November 2022, the County and RHCCC were able to resume in-person meetings.

UPDATE: After the initial December 7, 2021 online informational meeting, the County held a virtual public Scoping Meeting for the Environmental Impact Report preparation on November 1, 2022. A second, in-person Scoping Meeting was held on December 6, 2022 at the Rowland Heights Community Center. Additionally, an in-person community meeting was held on November 14^th, 2022 at the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council (RHCCC) Meeting, located at the Rowland Heights Community Center.

We are pleased to announce a fifth community meeting on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 7 pm, again held at the Rowland Heights Community Center and a sixth community meeting on Wednesday December 13, 2023 at 7 pm at the Royal Vista Golf Clubhouse Regency Room.

Will the Project be a gated community?

The Project was originally proposed as a gated community, but the LA County Department of Regional Planning has since asked us to remove the proposed gates. In both scenarios (gated and un-gated) the open space and the Paseo Recreational Trails would be open and available to everyone.

When we will see more information on the traffic studies and other community impacts?

Traffic studies (including the need for stoplights) and other environmental impacts have been analyzed as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft EIR is now available for public review and comment on the County’s website, listed above in Downloads.

How will wildlife be impacted and how will the project effect our community’s rural character of rolling hills, larger lots, horse properties, and a green golf course over a half century old?

The Rowland Heights Community General Plan identifies Goals and Policies which are “intended to guide and manage the development of Rowland Heights so that reasonable growth can be accommodated and the character of the community preserved.” Goal #1 states, “Maintain the rural atmosphere of the community through the preservation of natural hillsides and vegetation and of the livestock keeping areas.” The Project does not disturb any natural hillsides, natural vegetation, or livestock areas. None of these exist on the Project site. Additionally, the words “golf course” are never mentioned in the Rowland Heights Community General Plan, even though the golf course, built in 1961, already existed when the Rowland Heights Community General Plan was adopted in 1981.

All potential impacts to wildlife, habitat, and the environment have been analyzed as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft EIR is now available for public review and comment on the County’s website, listed above in Downloads.

If approved by the County, when would construction begin?

Construction will begin as soon as project entitlement approvals are received and grading and building permits are issued. We anticipate construction would begin in late 2024.

Will a traffic signal or signals be added to Colima Road as a part of this project?

The project does include relocating the existing golf cart and pedestrian signal to become a full 4-way signalized intersection at Colima and Tierra Luna. Traffic and other environmental impact topics impacts have been analyzed as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft EIR is now available for public review and comment on the County’s website, listed above in Downloads.

Who determined that Royal Vista is “no longer viable for a golf course”?

In 2015, prior to the land lease expiring, the various golf course property owners collectively agreed not to renew a long-term land lease, and the golf course was determined to be “not financially viable” by the various landowners, which included the golf course operator. The lease expired in 2016 and the struggling course has been operated on a month-to-month basis since that time, which can be terminated at any time by any one of the landowners with a 30-day notice.

Will the two active parks have parking spaces and be accessible to the public?

The previously proposed parks have changed to open space at the request of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. These open spaces will be publicly accessible. There will not be parking lots.

Will the sloped landscaped areas be paved? How about the trails?

The sloped landscape areas are not paved. The trails will be a combination of decomposed granite and / or concrete or asphalt where necessary.

What will be the price range of the single family homes and townhomes?

Home prices have not been determined at this time.

Will there be lighting along the trails?

Bollard type lighting is proposed along the trails for safety purposes.

Do you anticipate using drought-tolerant and/or native plants? Will there be grass or turf in the park areas?

The project will include drought-tolerant, California-native, and low water use plants in the open space and trail landscaping. We anticipate turf in the “activity lawn” areas within the Paseo Recreational Trails.

Are you going to build a wall that’s going to separate my property from the park?

No new fences / walls are proposed adjacent to existing homes. All existing homes adjacent to the Project already have fences / walls separating their property from the golf course. These fences / walls belong to the individual homeowners.

Parks are no longer proposed, and these areas will be open space.

Why are there only two parks for a 322 (now 360) residential unit project and how does a homeowners association factor in to maintaining the parks?

All new residential developments are required to dedicate land for local parks or to pay in-lieu fees. The amount of park space required is based on the intensity of the proposed development. According to the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation (LADPR), the Project requires the dedication of 3.2 acres of park land or the payment of park in-lieu fees in the amount of $986,332. We had previously proposed to dedicate 7.4 acres of park land, more than double the required amount. Additionally, we had proposed to pay to construct these parks prior to dedicating them to the County. At the request of LADPR, we will be paying the park in-lieu fees, rather than dedicating the 7.4 acres of parkland. The 7.4 acres will become publicly accessible open space. Other than additional tree planting, there will be no additional improvements or parking lots. These open spaces and the Paseo Recreation Trail areas will be maintained by the Project Homeowner’s Association.

New housing doesn’t help the environment and can create traffic problems on Colima Road. How do you plan to address these impacts? Will there be a traffic signal at the intersection of Walnut Leaf and Colima?

Traffic and other environmental impact topics mentioned such as air quality, pollution, biology, habitat, etc., have been analyzed as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft EIR is now available for public review and comment prior to consideration by the Regional Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

There will not be a new traffic signal at Walnut Leaf and Colima.

Doesn’t the Rowland Heights General Plan envision the golf course to remain undeveloped for the life of the plan?

The golf course is not “undeveloped.” It was fully developed in 1961. But no, there is nothing in the General Plan that provides for the golf course to remain undeveloped for the life of the plan.

Quoting directly from the Community General Plan (page 17), the category of “Open Space” that is “intended to remain undeveloped for the life of the plan” includes protecting “natural landforms, riparian corridors and primary viewsheds.” The golf course is not “undeveloped.” It was completely developed in the early 1960’s. The golf course does not include natural landforms, natural hillsides, or natural vegetation. The golf course does not include riparian corridors or primary viewsheds. Additionally, the words “golf course” are never mentioned in the Rowland Heights Community General Plan, even though the golf course, built in 1961, already existed when the Rowland Heights Community General Plan was adopted in 1981.

Open Space Policy #3 in the Rowland Heights Community General Plan is “Encourage open space easements and dedications.” The Project site currently does not include any public open space, but the Royal Vista Residential Project proposes to create the dedication of more than 28 acres of publicly accessible open space and proposes over 2 miles of publicly accessible trails.

If this housing project does not push through, will the Royal Vista Golf Course still be operating? Or have they completely sold that area and that area will not be maintained anymore?

The golf course operator no longer has a land lease to continue the long-term operation of the golf course. The golf course is currently being operated on a month-to-month basis and can be terminated with 30-day notice from any one of the four landowners. The golf course will be closing.

Is the Project a Hillside Development?

No, the Royal Vista Residential Project is not considered a “Hillside Development.”

Does the Project Site include any native / natural habitat areas? Do any endangered or protected wildlife species live on the existing golf course?

No, the Royal Vista Residential Project Site does not include any existing native or natural habitat areas and there are no endangered or protected wildlife species on the existing golf course. Please refer to the Draft EIR Biological Resources Section, which is now available for public review and comment on the County’s website, listed above in Downloads.

Is the Project Site connected to or part of the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor?

No, the Royal Vista Residential Project Site is not connected to or a part of the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor.

Does the Royal Vista Golf Club include any publicly accessible open space?

No, the Royal Vista Golf Club is private property and is only accessible to those who pay to play golf. It includes no publicly accessible open space. However, the Royal Vista Residential Project will include 37% of the Project Site (more than 28 acres) as open space, which will be publicly accessible, including over 2 miles of walking / biking trails.

Does the Project include low-income housing?

No, the Royal Vista Residential Project does not include low-income housing. However, the Project does include 82 affordable for-sale homes for moderate-income and middle-income households. This could include teachers, fire fighters, sheriff/police, county and city employees, first-time homebuyers, and others.

Are there environmental groups or conservation organizations that want to purchase the Project Site in perpetuity for the public?

No, we are not aware of any environmental groups or conservation organizations that want to purchase the Project Site in perpetuity for the public.

Is the Project Site the last sizable undeveloped area in Rowland Heights?

No, the golf course is not “undeveloped.” It was filled, graded, planted, and fully developed with a clubhouse building and other accessory buildings in 1961. It has been mowed, irrigated, fertilized and sprayed with pesticides and herbicides regularly and maintained for over 60 years. The golf course does not include natural landforms, natural hillsides, or natural vegetation.

While the Project Site (75 acres) has been previously developed, there are other undeveloped areas in Rowland Heights, however—including the Shell-Aera site of +/- 3,000 acres which does include native habitat, natural landforms, and is connected to wildlife corridors.