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Local Land Use Decisions, NIMBYism Are Leading Causes Behind Southern California’s Lack of Housing Production Across Price Levels

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Region is Further Behind Other Locations in Developing Lower-Income Housing; New Study Recommends Zoning Based on Existing Demand 
April 11, 2019— RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) — Local land use and zoning laws, as well as opposition to development by residents, are primary obstacles to building badly needed housing across Southern California, according to a new analysis released today by the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. The report examines Southern California’s progress under the state’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which mandates how many and what types of housing units each jurisdiction in California needs to allocate and plan for in order to meet local housing needs at all levels of affordability.
Compared to all jurisdictions in the state, Southern California turns in an ‘average’ performance in terms of complying with RHNA’s reporting requirements but that is not indicative of average or more housing production. The analysis examines the Southern California Association of Governments’ jurisdiction under RHNA, which includes Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. To date, across these areas, less than 30% of the housing units mandated by RHNA for all affordability levels have been permitted for building.
“Because of the sheer size of the region, that statistic helps to illustrate just how chronically behind most jurisdictions in California are in terms of developing new housing,” said Adam Fowler Director of Research at the Center for Economic Forecasting and one of the report authors. “We’re now halfway through the current 8-year RHNA cycle and ideally would want to see a number closer to 50%.”
Fowler and his co-author Hoyu Chong a Senior Research Associate at the Center, emphasize that the Southern California region studied in the analysis is especially critical because it is home to more than 70% of the state’s population.
Given the dominant share of residents who live in the region, and California’s acute housing shortage, it’s particularly problematic that the analysis finds the area is further behind in producing low- and moderate-income housing. In fact, the only housing units that have seen significant progress, and are closer to meeting the RHNA mandate, are units that are affordable for those with above-moderate-income levels. Across the six-county Southern California jurisdiction, more than half (52%) of these units have been permitted compared to just 9% of very-low-income, 9% of low-income, and 16% of moderate-income units. Looked at another way, 77% of all the housing units permitted within the region under the current cycle have been for the above-moderate-income level despite the fact that just 42% of the units mandated by RHNA are allocated for that level.
The same general pattern persists in all of the six counties except Imperial, where just 4% of housing units for above-moderate-income households have been permitted versus 30% for moderate-income households. Los Angeles County has the worst imbalance, with 5 out of every 6 housing units permitted falling within the above-moderate-income level, even though just 3 out of every 7 housing units mandated by RHNA are allocated for that level.
According to the analysis, the key reasons behind the lack of housing production across income levels, but especially among lower-income units, include local opposition to development and local zoning and land use laws that are simply not conducive to developing affordable housing. Within the Southern California jurisdiction, for example, the median minimum lot size is bigger than in the rest of California. Moreover, both the minimum and maximum number of single-family homes allowed per acre is lower, and the minimum unit size is considerably bigger.
“There are some really fundamental obstacles facing Southern California and jurisdictions across the state in terms of developing smaller, denser, less expensive housing,” says Fowler. The study’s authors argue that local jurisdictions should take steps that include redefining housing needs, developing zoning regulations based on existing demand, and aligning housing development with projected demographic changes.
The new report follows an analysis released by public policy group Next 10 that examined all the state’s RHNA jurisdictions and found most to be behind in permitting new homes and significant numbers not participating in the reporting process at all.
The complete analysis, California’s Housing Crisis: Goals and Production in Southern California, is available here.
The UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development is the first major university forecasting center in Inland Southern California. The Center is dedicated to economic forecasting and policy research focused on the region, state, and nation. Learn more at UCREconomicForecast.org

The Inland Empire Business Journal (IEBJ) is the official business news publication of Southern California’s Inland Empire region - covering San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.

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Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Hanley Investment Group Arranges Sales of Two New Starbucks Properties in Pomona and San Bernardino, Calif., Totaling $8.14 Million

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New 15‑year corporate leases, and high‑traffic locations drive two separate Starbucks transactions in Southern California

Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, a national real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced today the sale of two new single‑tenant Starbucks properties in Pomona and San Bernardino, California. The combined sales price was $8,139,000.

Hanley Investment Group’s Executive Vice President Bill Asher and Executive Vice President and Partner Jeff Lefko represented both sellers.

Starbucks — Pomona, California

The newly renovated, single‑tenant Starbucks café and drive‑thru located at 2302 North Garey Avenue in Pomona sold for $4,575,000. The buyer, a private investor based in Los Angeles completing a 1031 exchange, was represented by Brad Freeman of Freeman & Associates. Asher and Lefko represented the seller, LA Icon LLC of Los Angeles.

“We procured a repeat Southern California‑based 1031 exchange buyer through a broker relationship, both of whom we have successfully transacted with on multiple occasions,” Asher said. “We secured the buyer within days of closing their downleg, allowing them to confidently identify an upleg and close escrow early in their 1031 exchange period.”

The 1,650‑square‑foot building, originally constructed in 1977, was converted from an independent fast‑food restaurant and fully renovated in 2024 to Starbucks’ newest prototype. The property sits on a 0.38‑acre parcel at the hard‑corner, signalized intersection of Arrow Highway and Garey Avenue, which sees more than 38,000 cars per day.

The location benefits from dense, infill Los Angeles County demographics and proximity to major regional demand drivers, including The Claremont Colleges, the University of La Verne, the LA County Fairplex and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. The property is also 200 feet from the Pomona Gold Line Metro Station and near new multifamily development.

The newly renovated Starbucks features a corporate 15-year triple-net lease with 10% rental increasesevery five years during the primary term and each of the three five-year options.

“This is a rare 15-year primary lease term with no early termination right, signaling strong long-term commitment to the site,” Asher said. “The buyer also benefitted from a lease structure that Starbucks was responsible for maintaining the property including the roof, a unique characteristic for a fee-simple Starbucks investment in California in today’s market.”

Starbucks — San Bernardino, California

The new‑construction, single‑tenant Starbucks drive‑thru‑only prototype located at 291 East Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino sold for $3,564,000. The buyer, a local investor from Orange County, California, was represented by David Kluver, senior vice president and principal with Lee & Associates in Newport Beach, California. Asher and Lefko represented the seller, a local developer.

“We procured a repeat Starbucks investor based in Southern California through a broker relationship and closed escrow on a rare Starbucks drive‑thru‑only prototype in the Inland Empire,” Asher said. “The combination of a new 15‑year lease, a prime freeway‑adjacent location and strong co‑tenancy resulted in premium pricing for this asset.”

Completed in 2025, the 1,200‑square‑foot building sits on a 0.58‑acre parcel and features a double drive‑thru designed to maximize operational efficiency and throughput, ideal for this very accessible and visible freeway location. The property is secured by a 15‑year corporate triple‑net lease, with no early cancellation clause and 10% rental increases every five years during the primary term and each of the four five‑year options.

The site benefits from a strategic, freeway‑adjacent location just off the Interstate 10 Freeway (210,600 cars per day) and the signalized intersection of Hospitality Lane and Waterman Avenue (55,000 cars per day). It is co‑tenanted with a new Quick Quack Car Wash, which Hanley Investment Group recently sold, and is positioned adjacent to the Tri‑City Corporate Centre, a 153‑acre, 1.69‑million‑square‑foot master‑planned office, retail and hospitality district.

The surrounding area includes several major hotels, providing consistent daily traffic and strong synergy for the tenant. The Inland Empire continues to experience significant population and economic growth, with more than 257,000 residents within five miles and a daytime population of 142,440 within three miles.

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), rated BBB+ by S&P, has been named one of Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” from 2009 to 2025 and operates more than 40,000 stores in 84 countries.

“Demand for single‑tenant, service‑oriented assets leased to nationally recognized operators like Starbucks remains exceptionally strong,” Asher said. “The combination of corporate credit, long‑term lease security and high‑traffic Inland Empire and Los Angeles County locations continues to resonate with private and 1031 exchange buyers.”

To date, Hanley Investment Group has arranged the sale of more than $760 million in Starbucks‑leased investments nationwide, including 75 Starbucks‑occupied properties in California.

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Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Hanley Investment Group Arranges Sale of Grocery-Anchored Shopping Center in Southern California

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Sierra del Oro Towne Centre is Hanley Investment Group’s sixth grocery-anchored shopping center sale over the last 12 months

Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, a nationally recognized real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced today that the firm arranged the sale of Sierra del Oro Towne Centre, a 100%-occupied, 110,485-square-foot shopping center anchored by Ralphs and Dollar Tree in Corona, California. The sale price was not disclosed.

Sierra del Oro Towne Centre is Hanley Investment Group’s sixth grocery-anchored shopping center sale over the last 12 months.

Hanley Investment Group Executive Vice President Kevin Fryman and President Ed Hanley represented the seller, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: PECO), one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of high-quality, grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The buyer, a private 1031 exchange investor based in Northern California, was represented by Jesse Millman of Newmark.

In 2017, Hanley Investment Group represented the seller, Cornerstone Development Partners of Irvine, California, in the sale of Sierra del Oro Towne Centre, when Phillips Edison & Company was the buyer.

“We secured a private all-cash 1031 exchange buyer who had recently sold their property to a land developer,” said Fryman. “We negotiated an expedited due diligence and closing timeline to provide the seller with certainty of execution.”

Fryman added, “Prior to marketing the property for sale, we advised the seller to structure a new long-term lease with Ralphs to maximize value and align with private capital’s objective of having a strong, committed anchor at the center.”

In addition to Ralphs and Dollar Tree, tenants at Sierra del Oro Towne Centre include Anytime Fitness, Chase Bank, Jack in the Box, Domino’s Pizza, Wingstop, Green River Montessori, Kumon Math and Reading Center, Fantastic Sams, and PostalAnnex.

According to Fryman, 72% of the tenants have operated at the center since at least 2011, and 70% are national or regional brands.

“The sale of Sierra del Oro represented a unique opportunity to acquire an entire grocery-anchored shopping center, including the anchors, shop tenants, and pad building ground leases in an affluent market located in Southern California,” said Fryman. “Ralphs has operated at the shopping center since it was originally constructed in 1991 and had recently executed a new long-term lease, demonstrating their commitment to the location. Furthermore, Ralphs is the only traditional grocery store within a three-mile radius.”

Fryman noted that the average household income within a one-mile radius of the property exceeds $145,000, and there are 148,000 people within a five-mile radius. The property is conveniently situated less than one mile from the Serfas Club Drive exit and two miles from the Green River Road exit on the 91 Freeway, which carries 275,000 cars per day.

Ralphs’ parent company, Kroger (NYSE: KR; S&P: BBB investment grade), operates over 2,700 grocery stores nationwide and is the largest traditional grocery operator in the U.S. with more than $148 billion in annual revenue. Ralphs, a staple grocery store chain in Southern California, has served its communities since 1873, making it one of the oldest continuously operating grocery brands in the United States. Today, Ralphs has more than 180 locations throughout Southern California and is the market share leader in the region.

“Investor demand for grocery-anchored retail centers remains exceptionally strong, driven by the stability and daily traffic that grocers like Ralphs generate,” said Hanley. “Both private and institutional buyers continue to target these assets for their long-term income durability and resistance to e-commerce disruption. With consistent foot traffic, strong tenant fundamentals, and limited new supply in high-growth markets, grocery-anchored centers offer a compelling investment profile.”

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Commercial Real Estate

Dedeaux Properties Completes Strategic Expansion with 850,000 Square Feet of New Industrial Developments Across Southern California

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Innovative Logistics Facilities Launched Amid Scarce Market Inventory to Meet Growing Demand

Dedeaux Properties, a leader in logistics real estate, has successfully obtained Certificates of Occupancy for five newly constructed industrial developments across Southern California, cumulatively encompassing approximately 850,000 square feet. This significant expansion comes at a pivotal time when the availability of new industrial spaces in Southern California is at its lowest in over a decade, according to recent market analyses.

The assortment of state-of-the-art developments includes:

  • A 167,000-square-foot warehouse strategically located in Ontario.
  • A sprawling 326,000-square-foot warehouse in Riverside.
  • A 165,000-square-foot high-velocity distribution center in Fontana, tailored for rapid logistics operations.
  • A 53,000-square-foot cross-dock facility in Perris, designed to enhance transshipment efficiency.
  • A 52,000-square-foot cross-dock in San Bernardino, geared towards facilitating quicker load transfers.
  • An 83,000-square-foot distribution center in Rialto, optimized for both storage and distribution functionalities.

These projects have been meticulously developed to cater to the surging demand for high-quality logistics real estate fueled by the consistent record cargo volumes handled at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Matt Evans, President of Dedeaux Properties, reflects on the current market dynamics and the firm’s strategic response. “The recent disruptions in capital markets have posed significant challenges for many developers in securing construction financing, leading to a thinner market. However, the Inland Empire continues to be a magnet for industrial activities, thanks to its proximity to major ports. Our new facilities are not just buildings; they are state-of-the-art logistics solutions designed to support the dynamic needs of modern supply chains.”

To further position itself for sustained growth and leverage potential market opportunities in 2025 and beyond, Dedeaux Properties has also successfully executed several strategic financial initiatives:

  • Recapitalization of a stabilized Industrial Outdoor Storage Portfolio that includes three sites totaling 1.1 million square feet of land in San Bernardino County. This transaction was conducted in partnership with the Carlyle Group, ensuring continued benefits from stable cash flows.
  • Divestiture of the firm’s inaugural Kern County development at Tejon Ranch to a textile owner/user, which has also facilitated an expanded relationship with Tejon Ranch Company for an additional warehouse project in Lebec.
  • Refinancing and restructuring of the financing arrangements for the majority of the projects completed in 2024, which has freed up substantial equity for future acquisitions and developments.

“These proactive steps have not only solidified our financial foundation but have also allowed us to optimize our asset base, ensuring substantial returns for our stakeholders and enhancing our capacity to seize emerging opportunities in the logistics sector,” Evans concluded.

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