Discovery Bay's New Affordable Housing Project: A Deep Dive into the Harbor Pointe Development
Location of the Proposed Development, Google Earth.
Discovery Bay, CA — The quiet, waterfront community of Discovery Bay is bracing for change as Anton Development Company moves forward with the Harbor Pointe Apartments, a 170-unit affordable housing project proposed for 1700 Discovery Bay Blvd. The development, designed exclusively for low- and very-low-income residents, has ignited conversations about growth, infrastructure, and community character.
By-Right Approval and a Compressed Timeline
The proposed project sits on a parcel already designated in Contra Costa County’s Housing Element Sites Inventory, zoned HE-C (Housing Element Consistency). That classification gives the development a powerful advantage: ministerial, by-right approval under California Government Code §65583.2(h)-(i). Because more than 20% of the units are reserved for lower-income households, the County is legally required to approve the project without discretionary review or CEQA environmental analysis if it meets all objective zoning standards.
The developer, Anton Development, submitted its preliminary application in October 2024. The Development Plan was deemed complete by May 2025, and County staff expect a final ministerial decision by mid-October 2025. Once approved, construction could take another 18 to 24 months, typical for low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects.
What’s Planned at Harbor Pointe
The project will feature 170 apartments—including 52 very-low-income units, 116 low-income units, and 2 on-site manager units—distributed across several three-story buildings. Amenities include a clubhouse, dog park, children’s play area, picnic space, and solar-covered parking for more than 300 vehicles. Roughly 40 existing trees may be removed during grading, with new landscaping and replanting required by County code.
Why It Feels “Fast-Tracked”
The speed and certainty surrounding Harbor Pointe come from a series of state housing laws aimed at overcoming local barriers to affordable housing. These include:
SB 330 (Housing Crisis Act), which freezes development standards and limits the number of public hearings.
SB 35 and the Housing Accountability Act (§65589.5), which prevent cities and counties from denying compliant housing proposals.
The No Net Loss law (§65863), which requires the County to maintain enough affordable housing sites to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals.
Together, these laws mean local opposition cannot stop the project unless Anton’s proposal violates objective design standards.
Local Impact and Infrastructure Concerns
As an unincorporated area, Discovery Bay relies on Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office (Delta Station) and Contra Costa Fire Protection District for essential services. Residents have voiced concerns about traffic, especially around schools and Discovery Bay Boulevard, which already experience heavy congestion during peak hours.
However, County planners emphasize that the developer must pay impact fees for parks, childcare, and transportation. Those funds are meant to offset potential strain on public infrastructure.
Environmental Review: Not Required
Because Harbor Pointe qualifies as a by-right project, it is exempt from CEQA—the California Environmental Quality Act. Even without CEQA, the developer must follow objective environmental and building regulations, including stormwater management, tree mitigation, and construction best practices.
How the Housing Market Could Be Affected
Studies from the Urban Institute and UC Irvine show that affordable housing developments do not lower nearby property values. In fact, some research indicates modest increases in neighborhood stability and economic activity. Multiple studies also show no increase in crime associated with affordable projects when professional property management is in place.
What Residents Can Still Do
While the County cannot deny the project if it meets objective standards, residents still have avenues for influence:
Request objective design refinements—such as better landscape buffering, lighting standards, or parking design improvements.
Organize a Good Neighbor agreement with Anton to address construction hours, traffic management, and community coordination.
Advocate for a senior-focused version of the development, provided it maintains compliance with HE-C zoning and income thresholds.
Work through the Discovery Bay Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and Supervisor Diane Burgis’ office to ensure concerns are formally recorded.
Can the Project Be Stopped?
Realistically, no—unless Anton’s plans fail to meet objective HE-C zoning requirements or drop below affordability thresholds. State law heavily favors approval for projects like Harbor Pointe, and lawsuits attempting to halt them often fail under the Housing Accountability Act.
Moving Forward
The Harbor Pointe development represents a new chapter for Discovery Bay, challenging long-standing ideas about what kinds of housing belong in the area. While some residents worry about growth and infrastructure, others see opportunity in diversifying housing stock and expanding access.
Experts suggest the best approach now is collaboration: ensuring high design quality, safety, and integration with the community’s existing charm. As Discovery Bay evolves, Harbor Pointe may become a test case for how small, affluent enclaves adapt to California’s urgent housing mandates.
References
Contra Costa County Planning Department (2024). Housing Element Consistency Ordinance (HE-C). Link
Town of Discovery Bay (2025). Harbor Pointe Application Update. Link
California Government Code §65583.2(h)-(i); Housing Accountability Act §65589.5. Link
Anton Development Company (2024). Project Overview. Link
Urban Institute (2021). The Impact of Affordable Housing on Nearby Property Values. Link
UC Irvine Metropolitan Studies (2019). Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Outcomes. Link
This article has been written for the sole purpose of informing the local community about the proposed development project.
The Enos Team & Corcoran Icon Properties hold no specific views towards the Harbor Pointe Development or Other Low income Developments.
The Enos Team & Corcoran Icon Properties support Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
