Community concerns change Millbrae project

Muzzi, who is proposing a commercial and residential development at the city’s BART and Caltrain station, committed to the changes during a Planning Commission study session Monday, Dec. 3.

The compromises come in the wake of community meeting held recently during which Muzzi and neighbors discussed ways the project could move ahead in a fashion which would limit damage to the quality of life for locals.

For those whose homes along Hemlock Avenue abut the project, residents encouraged officials to assure Muzzi remains true to his word.

“I beg you, listen to our voices. We recognize this is going to be built. We ask that it is something that we can live with,” said resident Laura Cannon, according to video of the meeting. “Because we are the ones that are going to have to live with it 24/7. And we ask our quality of life is to be taken into consideration with equal measure to future residents.”

Commissioner Jean Joh expressed her appreciation that Muzzi is willing to alter his project design according to the wishes of residents.

“I’m glad that you are in discussions with the neighbors on Hemlock,” she said. “I think that is a big concern for all of us.”

Muzzi though said his stance on the matter is firm, and that he already decided to alter his project design according to the wishes of residents. Under that choice, Muzzi said he will remove a handful of top-floor units which infringe on a city regulation designed to reduce shadows cast on a nearby property.

He will also remove balconies for units facing the neighborhood, in acknowledgment of concerns raised by residents who fear noise pollution and loss of privacy. Muzzi though preserved his desire to keep balconies on units away from the neighborhood, or facing other directions. Furthermore, he committed to building a wall between his project and the neighborhood, to further buffer sound and plant mature trees for some visual relief.

The compromise comes in the wake of extensive discussions between neighbors and Muzzi, whose project was approved earlier this year by the Millbrae City Council and is currently working through the design review process.

No decision was made at the meeting for the project comprised of 444 residential units, approximately 290,000 square feet of office space and about 35,000 square feet of retail space in three towers near the intersection of Millbrae Avenue and El Camino Real.

Muzzi though is pushing for a public hearing on the project, which will subsequently need to go before the Millbrae City Council for further deliberation before receiving final approval for construction.

While commissioners lauded Muzzi’s willingness to work with neighbors, opinions were mixed over whether the overall project design was adequate.

Joh suggested she felt the proposal appeared a bit mundane and not inviting enough for prospective workers or residents. She encouraged the architects to offer more amenities accommodating those living or working at the site.

“It feels a little boring to me,” she said. “Not that it needs to be sparkling, neon colors everywhere. But it feels like a lot of glass and aluminum right now.”

Commissioner Catherine Quigg though differed, and suggested she would be comfortable with the design — should it come to fruition.

“It’s new, modern and clean and it’s going to put us on the map,” she said. “If it ever happens.”

Project designers committed to taking into consideration the feedback from commissioners and expect to return later this month or next for more discussion.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 105