Garden Grove, California, a vibrant city in the heart of Orange County, has undergone significant transformation since its humble beginnings as a quiet farming community in the late 19th century. Today, with a population of approximately 171,637 (as of 2022), Garden Grove stands as the fifth-largest city in Orange County, blending cultural diversity, economic vitality, and a strong sense of community. As the city continues to evolve, its Urban Growth Plan and housing initiatives play a pivotal role in shaping its future. This blog post explores Garden Grove’s strategic approach to urban development, its housing policies, and the recent developments that reflect its commitment to sustainable growth and affordability.
A Historical Perspective on Garden Grove’s Growth
To understand Garden Grove’s current Urban Growth Plan, it’s essential to look at its historical context. Founded in 1874 by Alonzo Cook, the city started as a small agricultural settlement. Its population remained modest until the post-World War II era, when a real estate boom spurred rapid expansion. By 1956, the year of its incorporation, Garden Grove’s population had surged to 41,238, with around 1,400 new residents arriving monthly. This growth continued through the 1950s and 1960s, peaking at 123,000 by 1980, before stabilizing at a slower pace, reaching 143,050 by 1990.
Much of the city’s housing stock dates back to this mid-20th-century boom, a period characterized by minimal land-use planning and relaxed development standards. As a result, Garden Grove completed its initial cycle of urban development by the late 20th century, shifting its focus from expansion to redevelopment, rehabilitation, and neighborhood enhancement. Today, the city faces new challenges: accommodating a growing population, addressing housing affordability, and balancing economic development with quality of life.
The Urban Growth Plan: A Framework for the Future
Garden Grove’s Urban Growth Plan is embedded within its General Plan, a comprehensive policy document that guides long-term physical development and public services. The most recent updates to the General Plan, including the Focused General Plan Update and Zoning Code Amendments (GPUZCA), were adopted to address contemporary needs, particularly in housing, land use, safety, and environmental justice. The plan envisions a city of 68,499 dwelling units, 238,619 residents, 29,718,000 square feet of non-residential development, and 49,369 jobs by 2040.
The Urban Growth Plan emphasizes several key objectives:
- Redevelopment and Revitalization: With much of its original development aging, Garden Grove prioritizes revitalizing commercial and residential areas. Projects like the $152-million Civic Center revamp, approved in March 2024, exemplify this focus. The initiative includes a new police headquarters, a parking structure, and a 2.7-acre community park, set for completion by mid-2027.
- Economic Development: The plan supports thriving businesses and job creation, leveraging the city’s strategic location in Orange County. Developments like Brookhurst Place, a 14-acre mixed-use project, aim to boost economic vitality with commercial spaces, a hotel, and residential units.
- Neighborhood Enhancement: Preserving and improving existing neighborhoods is a cornerstone of the plan. Programs like the Neighborhood Improvement Division’s initiatives provide financial assistance for property upgrades, ensuring a high quality of life for residents.
- Sustainability and Equity: The inclusion of environmental justice policies reflects Garden Grove’s commitment to sustainable growth that benefits all residents, particularly underserved communities.
Housing: Addressing the Crisis and Meeting RHNA Goals
Housing is a critical component of Garden Grove’s Urban Growth Plan, especially given California’s ongoing housing crisis. The city’s Housing Element, certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on December 12, 2023, outlines strategies to meet the state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for the 6th Cycle (2021-2029). The RHNA requires Garden Grove to plan for a specific number of housing units across all income levels, a task complicated by the city’s high cost of living—Orange County’s median family income was $59,100 in 1994 and has since risen significantly.
Garden Grove’s RHNA allocation has been a point of contention. The city protested the methodology used by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), arguing it overburdened already dense urban areas. Despite these efforts, its appeals were denied, and the city must now demonstrate capacity for new housing development. The Housing Element identifies potential sites and rezoning programs to meet these targets, though actual construction depends largely on private developers.
Key housing strategies include:
- Affordable Housing Development: Projects like Brookhurst Place Phase II, which broke ground in June 2023, will add 350 apartment homes, including 60 affordable units, and 58 for-sale condominiums. The city collaborates with for-profit and nonprofit developers to create and preserve affordable housing.
- Rental Assistance: The Garden Grove Housing Authority, funded by HUD, supports over 2,300 low-income families through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, alleviating poverty and ensuring housing stability.
- ADU Programs: The city’s Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program encourages homeowners to build secondary units, increasing housing supply without significant land-use changes.
- Preservation and Rehabilitation: Financial assistance programs help homeowners and investors upgrade existing properties, maintaining the city’s housing stock.
Recent Developments: Bringing the Plan to Life
Several high-profile projects illustrate how Garden Grove’s Urban Growth Plan and housing strategies are taking shape:
- Brookhurst Place: This mixed-use development in Orange County Koreatown is a flagship project. Phase I, completed in 2018, added 180 rental apartments, while Phase II will introduce 700 residential units, a public park, an urban trail, and commercial space. Developers are considering design elements to honor the area’s Korean American heritage, reflecting cultural sensitivity in urban planning.
- Civic Center Revitalization: The $152-million project, funded partly by $140 million in lease revenue bonds, will modernize public infrastructure while enhancing community spaces. The new park, replacing an outdated police station, will feature event spaces and exercise equipment, fostering community engagement.
- Small-Scale Residential Projects: Developments like the 27-unit apartment complex at Acacia Parkway and Euclid Street (awaiting plan check as of March 2025) include affordable units for very-low-income households, aligning with RHNA goals.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its progress, Garden Grove faces significant challenges. The high cost of living in Orange County remains the single largest barrier to affordable housing, with home prices and financing costs outpacing income growth. The city’s reliance on private developers to meet RHNA targets introduces uncertainty, as market conditions can delay or alter projects. Additionally, balancing growth with community preservation requires careful planning—residents have historically resisted large-scale developments, as seen in early opposition to Brookhurst Place.
Yet, opportunities abound. Garden Grove’s location near major attractions like Disneyland and its cultural diversity make it an attractive destination for residents and businesses alike. State-level housing bills passed in 2019, which streamline development regulations and increase reporting requirements, provide tools to accelerate housing production. The city’s proactive approach, including partnerships with developers like Kam Sang Company and its focus on mixed-use projects, positions it to thrive in the coming decades.
A Community-Driven Future
Garden Grove’s Urban Growth Plan and housing initiatives reflect a delicate balance between progress and preservation. By integrating redevelopment, affordability, and sustainability, the city aims to meet the needs of its nearly 172,000 residents while preparing for future growth. Community input, as mandated by the Citizen Participation Plan, ensures that these efforts align with local priorities—whether it’s maintaining the charm of the annual Strawberry Festival or creating new parks for families to enjoy.
As of March 17, 2025, Garden Grove stands at a crossroads. With projects like Brookhurst Place and the Civic Center revamp underway, the city is translating its vision into reality. While challenges like affordability and density persist, Garden Grove’s commitment to thoughtful urban planning offers hope for a future where economic vitality, housing equity, and community spirit coexist harmoniously. For residents and newcomers alike, Garden Grove remains a dynamic place to call home—one that’s growing smarter, not just bigger.
