A mixed-use office and housing development on the east side of downtown San Mateo was approved by the City Council Monday with an additional $100,000 to go toward ameliorating neighborhood traffic concerns.
With the approval, the nearly half-acre development at 405 E. Fourth Ave. and 330 S. Claremont St. will have 55,025 square feet of office space spread between the first three floors, as well as 15 small studio and one-bedroom residential units on the fourth floor, with two units set aside for those with very-low incomes. The total square footage will be 65,514 square feet.
Two underground levels of parking would provide 82 stalls, lower than required, but made up for with in-lieu fees of $25,000 each for the 69 spots that cannot be accommodated on site. The developer is also offering 71 office parking spaces for public use on weekends from 9 a.m. to midnight and 6 p.m. to midnight on weekdays.
It will also require the demolition of two buildings, including the Endo Automotive building that is eligible for the state’s historic register because of its unique Streamline Moderne architecture. That historic eligibility is what required the council’s approval rather than just the Planning Commission. The council voted 4-1, with Mayor David Lim voting no, while the Planning Commission also voted 4-1. According to a staff report, the commissioner voting against it suggesting that it should serve as a transition between the architectural character of downtown and the adjacent neighborhood.
Traffic impacts were also a concern by neighbors though some also expressed approval of the redevelopment. In response, developer Windy Hill Property Ventures, offered up $75,000 for traffic improvements to the Central neighborhood and increased that amount to $100,000 after city officials requested it. The improvements could come from a list of priorities outlined in the recently completed Central Neighborhood Traffic Action Plan, according to planning staff.
Few new office projects have been constructed on the east side of the Caltrain tracks, which is predominantly lined with smaller parcels used for service businesses. But it’s an option that city officials have considered as it seeks to accommodate a growing downtown and to retain smaller companies as they grow.
The gentrification of downtown is causing impact and ruining the neighborhoods, these high density projects especially near the train is not good quality of life. The boneheads that approve these projects don't actually go there in person or know close people that live in that neighborhood.
It is an election year if you don't like the direction now is your opportunity do something about it. The Council will have 3 years (until next election) to do whatever they see fit. Consequences are tremendous.
It's a shame that communities approve projects that give in to developers and the results in whole adds to more density and traffic problems. I assume the officals did their due diligence I creating the codes so local government should not permit variances as in this project for parking spaces,... The main benefactors are the Delvelopers, not the community.
What about the traffic impacts on the other San Mateo neighborhoods?...North Central...Hayward Park etc.?
Nothing...? This plan was in the bag over two years ago in meetings coordinated with the City, real estate interests and the international real estate NGO... the Urban Land Institute.
Now that the floodgates have been opened, wait for the City to willingly approve the ten other development projects lined up for the same area, including their own projects.
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(4) comments
The gentrification of downtown is causing impact and ruining the neighborhoods, these high density projects especially near the train is not good quality of life. The boneheads that approve these projects don't actually go there in person or know close people that live in that neighborhood.
It is an election year if you don't like the direction now is your opportunity do something about it. The Council will have 3 years (until next election) to do whatever they see fit. Consequences are tremendous.
It's a shame that communities approve projects that give in to developers and the results in whole adds to more density and traffic problems. I assume the officals did their due diligence I creating the codes so local government should not permit variances as in this project for parking spaces,... The main benefactors are the Delvelopers, not the community.
What about the traffic impacts on the other San Mateo neighborhoods?...North Central...Hayward Park etc.?
Nothing...? This plan was in the bag over two years ago in meetings coordinated with the City, real estate interests and the international real estate NGO... the Urban Land Institute.
Now that the floodgates have been opened, wait for the City to willingly approve the ten other development projects lined up for the same area, including their own projects.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.