SoCal Local Election Debates
Southern California City Council Candidates Address State Housing Mandates and Municipal Budgets
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Key Points
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Brea candidate Steven Vargas said more than 1,300 homes are already entitled and approved in the city, and argued that workforce housing could be supported by using redevelopment funds that Brea has held for about 10 years.
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Vargas called for limiting accessory dwelling units to owner-occupied properties and opposed lot splits and multiple units built by outside developers without adequate parking.
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Brea candidate Blake Perez said the Brea Core Specific Plan would direct growth to areas already experiencing development and reduce pressure on outlying neighborhoods, especially hillside areas. He also warned that falling out of compliance with state housing law could bring monthly fines and a loss of local land-use control.
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Former Brea Mayor Blair Stewart proposed making budgets, debt obligations, major projects and project costs easier to find on the city website, with resident-friendly summaries that explain project costs, funding sources, timelines and continuing financial obligations.
Southern California city council candidates are proposing competing visions for housing and municipal finances ahead of the 2026 election. In Corona, Buena Park, and Brea, candidates outlined starkly different strategies for meeting state housing mandates while protecting existing neighborhoods — from targeted infill projects to stricter rules on developer-built units.
Budget pressures loom across all three cities. Brea candidates emphasized economic development and financial transparency to manage pension obligations, while some warned that failing to comply with state housing law could trigger monthly fines and loss of local land-use control.
Corona Debates Public Use of City-Owned Mall
Corona candidate Rory Connell supports strategic infill housing but raised concerns about selling the city-owned Corona Mall for a luxury-condominium and hotel project. Connell argued other public uses deserve consideration before proceeding with the redevelopment plan.
Brea Candidates Push Housing Near Transit and Jobs
Brea candidate Blake Perez backed the Brea Core Specific Plan, which directs growth to areas already experiencing development. This approach reduces pressure on outlying neighborhoods, especially hillside areas. Perez warned that falling out of compliance with state housing law could bring monthly fines and loss of local land-use control.
Fellow Brea candidate Steven Vargas noted that more than 1,300 homes are already entitled and approved in the city. Vargas called for limiting accessory dwelling units to owner-occupied properties and opposed lot splits and multiple units built by outside developers without adequate parking. He proposed using redevelopment funds held for about 10 years to support workforce housing.
Buena Park Prioritizes Housing Near Employment Centers
Buena Park candidate Carlos Franco supports concentrating new housing near jobs, transit, and major corridors. This strategy aims to reduce commute times and maximize the public benefit of new residential development.
Brea Looks to Transparency and Business Growth for Budget Relief
Former Brea Mayor Blair Stewart proposed making budgets, debt obligations, and major projects easier to find on the city website. Stewart recommended resident-friendly summaries that explain project costs, funding sources, timelines, and continuing financial obligations. Brea candidates generally pointed to economic development and spending discipline to address pension liabilities while preserving services.
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