Avalon Motel sought for condos: San Mateo motor court considered historical

The Planning Commission reviewed a draft environmental impact report Tuesday as property owner City Ventures seeks to construct 42 townhomes on the nearly 2-acre site just east of Highway 101.

“Everyone in the North Shoreview neighborhood is really excited about no longer seeing this motel in the neighborhood,” said Andrew Warner, City Ventures director of development, according to a video of the meeting. “We consider ourselves to be one of the greenest builders in Northern California and the nation and the reason for that is we install solar panels on all the homes.”

With each property fully powered by electricity and no gas, equipped with high-efficiency appliances and their plans for permeable pavers as well as a community garden, Warner said the proposal is a major improvement.

In total, the project would include eight three-story buildings containing 42 multi-family units that would sit atop two-car ground-floor garages, according to a staff report. Another 10 parking spaces for guests would also be provided.

After hosting community meetings, Warner said many neighbors expressed complaints about the current motel that’s the source of late-night arguments, calls to the police and garbage thrown onto surrounding properties.

“The site is effectively a sea of asphalt and the hotel itself is completely incompatible with the North Shoreview neighborhood,” Warner said.

Now, the public has until Dec. 4 to comment on the draft environmental impact report that touches on parking, traffic, noise and cultural resources, said Akoni Danielsen, a consultant hired by the city to study the impacts of the project.

The report was primarily undertaken because the site was deemed eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources and the National Register of Historic Places, Danielsen said.

Despite its quaint architecture that prompted some to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about family road trips, the Planning Commission generally agreed it’s time for a change.

“As a design professional, I have an affinity for older buildings. I’m also a member of the California Preservation Foundation,” said Planning Commissioner Dianne Whitaker. “The whole motor court concept brings back memories as a young child traveling across the country with my family. … So I’m really sad that this last example in the city of San Mateo has disintegrated to the point where this really is the only option.”

While some residents initially expressed concerns about the traffic increase, Danielsen said the review showed the redevelopment is only expected to add six vehicle trips during the morning commute and two during the evening peak hours.

Although most impacts were either less than significant or could be avoided, the demolition of the 1930s buildings was deemed an unavoidable and significant impact in regards to the cultural resources. Instead, the site could be photographed and documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey standards before demolition and placed at the San Mateo Public Library, according to the report.

As an older building, Danielsen said there are strict demolition standards that must be followed in case lead-based paint and asbestos were used when it was originally constructed decades ago.

No members of the public spoke at Tuesday’s meeting but nine people turned in letters with concerns ranging from traffic to parking and air quality to shadow impacts.

The Planning Commission must approve the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Avalon Motel Redevelopment Project before current North Shoreview residents receive new neighbors.

With the city in need of new housing units, planners were supportive of the green-builder City Ventures proposal.

Planning Commissioner Eric Rodriguez said his initial concerns about parking and traffic were eased after reading the review and it’s important to keep in mind the environmental impact report was generated because of the site’s historical significance — on which no members of the public have actually commented.

Prior to the meeting, Rodriguez said he visited the site and thinks it’s time for a change.

“After almost tripping over a half-full bottle of malt liquor, I was just really disappointed as to how this was part of this neighborhood that deserves better. I think San Mateo deserves better.” Rodriguez said. “We talked a lot about how important housing is, I think this is a great spot for housing. I think this is what we need in this area.”

Visit cityofsanmateo.org for more information about the Avalon Motel Redevelopment.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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