Stanton, a small yet vibrant city nestled in Orange County, California, has long been a hidden gem overshadowed by its larger neighbors like Anaheim and Santa Ana. With a population hovering around 38,000 and a footprint of just over three square miles, Stanton might not scream “urban powerhouse” at first glance. But beneath its modest exterior lies a community brimming with potential—a canvas waiting for a bold, thoughtful stroke of city planning to shape its real estate future. As a city planner tasked with envisioning what Stanton could become over the next decade and beyond, I see a future where strategic development, sustainability, and community-driven growth transform this city into a model of modern suburban living.
The Current Landscape: Stanton Today
Before we dive into the vision, let’s take stock of where Stanton stands in 2025. Historically, Stanton has been a working-class city with a rich multicultural fabric—home to a significant Latino population and a growing mix of other ethnicities. Its real estate market has traditionally leaned toward single-family homes, modest apartment complexes, and small commercial strips along major corridors like Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue. While affordable compared to the sky-high prices of coastal Orange County cities, Stanton’s housing stock has aged, and its commercial areas have lagged behind the glitz of nearby urban centers.
Yet, Stanton has strengths to build upon. Its proximity to major highways (the 22 and 91 freeways), access to public transit via OCTA bus lines, and a location just minutes from Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm give it a strategic edge. The city’s flat terrain and compact size also make it ripe for redevelopment. However, challenges like limited green space, aging infrastructure, and a lack of cohesive urban identity have held Stanton back from realizing its full potential. That’s where a forward-thinking city planning vision comes in—one that balances growth with livability, affordability with innovation, and tradition with progress.
Vision Pillar 1: Mixed-Use Development Along Key Corridors
The backbone of Stanton’s real estate future lies in reimagining its major thoroughfares—Beach Boulevard, Katella Avenue, and Stanton Boulevard—as vibrant mixed-use corridors. Picture this: instead of the current patchwork of fast-food joints, strip malls, and underutilized lots, these streets could host multi-story buildings with ground-floor retail, cafes, and small businesses, topped by modern apartments and condos. This isn’t about turning Stanton into a mini-Downtown LA; it’s about creating walkable, human-scale hubs that serve residents and attract visitors.
Take Beach Boulevard, for example. As a heavily trafficked artery connecting Stanton to neighboring cities, it’s primed for transformation. A city planner’s dream here might include a series of “live-work-play” districts—think three- to five-story buildings with rooftop terraces, bike lanes, and pedestrian plazas. These developments could cater to young professionals, small families, and retirees alike, offering a mix of market-rate and affordable housing units. By zoning for higher density along these corridors, Stanton could increase its housing supply without sprawling into its limited remaining open spaces.
The commercial upside is clear too. Mixed-use zones would breathe new life into Stanton’s economy, drawing in boutique shops, local eateries, and even co-working spaces for remote workers—a growing demographic in the post-pandemic era. Pair this with improved streetscapes (think wider sidewalks, tree canopies, and public art), and suddenly Beach Boulevard becomes a destination, not just a pass-through.
Vision Pillar 2: Sustainable and Affordable Housing
Housing is the heartbeat of any city, and Stanton’s future hinges on getting it right. Orange County’s housing crisis isn’t news—rents and home prices have soared, pushing middle- and low-income families to the margins. Stanton, with its relatively affordable baseline, has a chance to lead by example. My vision calls for a dual approach: sustainable design and intentional affordability.
First, sustainability. Every new development in Stanton should aim for net-zero energy standards—solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and green roofs as the norm, not the exception. Imagine a cluster of townhomes near Cerritos Avenue with rainwater harvesting systems and communal gardens, reducing both utility bills and environmental impact. Pair this with incentives for retrofitting older homes—grants for insulation upgrades or solar installations—and Stanton could become a showcase for eco-friendly suburban living.
Second, affordability. The city can’t thrive if it prices out its core residents. A planner’s toolkit here includes inclusionary zoning (requiring a percentage of new units to be affordable), partnerships with nonprofits to build low-income housing, and creative models like community land trusts. Picture a development where teachers, nurses, and retail workers—Stanton’s backbone—can own homes without breaking the bank. By reserving land for these projects now, before market pressures escalate, Stanton can lock in affordability for decades.
Vision Pillar 3: Green Spaces and Community Identity
Stanton’s lack of parks is a glaring gap. With only a handful of small recreational areas like Stanton Central Park, residents often travel outside the city for nature or leisure. My vision flips this script: every neighborhood should be within a 10-minute walk of a green space. This doesn’t mean sprawling regional parks (there’s no room for that), but rather a network of pocket parks, urban trails, and revitalized public plazas.
Imagine converting vacant lots into mini-parks with playgrounds, benches, and native landscaping. Along the stormwater channels that crisscross Stanton, we could build linear greenways—paved trails for biking and walking, lined with drought-tolerant plants and shaded seating areas. These spaces wouldn’t just boost property values (a proven perk of nearby parks); they’d foster a sense of place. Stanton’s identity could shift from “that city you drive through” to “that city with the charming green nooks.”
Tying this to real estate, developers could be incentivized to integrate green features—courtyards, rooftop gardens—into their projects. A mid-rise apartment building with a public-accessible plaza at its base becomes a community anchor, not just a housing block. Over time, these efforts could brand Stanton as a green, livable suburb—a draw for families and eco-conscious buyers.
Vision Pillar 4: Infrastructure for the Future
No real estate vision holds up without solid infrastructure. Stanton’s roads, sewers, and utilities are showing their age, and growth will only strain them further. My plan prioritizes upgrades that support higher density and climate resilience. Think permeable pavements to reduce flooding, underground power lines to withstand storms, and expanded broadband to make every corner of Stanton remote-work-ready.
Transportation is key too. While Stanton won’t get its own Metrolink station anytime soon, enhancing bus connectivity to nearby hubs like Anaheim’s ARTIC could ease commutes. A bike lane network linking residential areas to commercial zones would cut car reliance, appealing to younger, eco-minded residents. And yes, parking matters—structured garages in mixed-use zones could free up surface lots for development while keeping cars accessible.
The Economic Ripple Effect
This vision isn’t just about buildings; it’s about prosperity. Mixed-use corridors and new housing would boost property tax revenue, funding schools and services. Green spaces and modern infrastructure would attract higher-income buyers, lifting home values without displacing current residents (thanks to affordability safeguards). Small businesses would thrive in revitalized commercial areas, creating jobs and keeping dollars local. Over time, Stanton could shed its “bedroom community” label and stand as a self-sustaining economic player in Orange County.
Challenges and Next Steps
Of course, this won’t be easy. Funding these projects—through grants, public-private partnerships, or tax increments—requires political will and community buy-in. NIMBYism could stall higher-density plans, and construction timelines might disrupt daily life. But the payoff is worth it. Stanton’s leadership must start with a comprehensive plan update, engaging residents through town halls and surveys to refine this vision. Pilot projects—like a mixed-use block on Beach Boulevard or a new park in a neglected neighborhood—could build momentum.
A Future Worth Building
By 2035, I see a Stanton where families stroll tree-lined streets to grab coffee at a local cafe, where affordable homes with solar panels dot the skyline, and where parks hum with laughter on weekends. It’s a city that honors its roots—hardworking, diverse, unpretentious—while embracing a future of growth and possibility. As a city planner, this is my vision for Stanton’s real estate future: not a utopia, but a practical, inspiring evolution of a place ready to shine. The blueprints are ready—now it’s time to break ground.
