Former Millbrae FlightCar property up for redevelopment

The 480 El Camino Real development would demolish and replace the former parking lot used by FlightCar, which years ago was the source of headaches for officials who grappled with community frustrations regarding the company.

Since the former company left Millbrae in 2014 searching for a more favorable business community, the parking lot at the corner of El Camino Real and Hermosa Avenue has laid largely vacant, until the redevelopment proposal arrived.

According to plans, the project’s first floor would hold a lobby, 13 parking spaces and 640 square feet of commercial space, under a second story reserved for 1,200 square feet of office space and two two-bedroom units. The top two floors would both accommodate three two-bedroom units, each approximately 1,300 square feet.

The residential units are proposed to be marketed as condominiums.

While the proposal aims to redevelop a previous cause for consternation among officials as the previous use had a slew of ongoing issues, the new use also raised fears among some officials and residents concerned about limited parking and invasion of privacy.

During previous community meetings and public hearings, some residents raised frustrations with the project’s design, suggesting it will harm their quality of life by compounding existing parking problems and other issues. The developer is seeking to offer six fewer parking spaces than the amount typically required for a similar project.

Planning commissioners examining the project late last year acknowledged the parking concerns, but suggested they were comfortable with the amount of spaces included in the plans. At least a space will be offered to each resident, though there may be some parking limitations for the commercial and office spaces.

To mitigate concerns that the development would impede on the privacy of a nearby residential development on Hermosa Avenue, officials instructed the developer to extend the fence to limit visibility between the two properties.

Officials also helped rework the configuration of the commercial space to enhance the room and make it more easily accessible.

Considering the design amendments alongside the development’s proposed central location, city officials think the project would be a community asset if constructed, according to a city report.

“The site is physically suitable for the proposed density because the site is level and stable, it is located within one-half mile of the Millbrae BART station which would provide good access to public transit and it is adjacent to a commercial area to provide goods and services to future residents,” according to the report.

Such a rosy perspective from city officials is largely a departure from the site’s previous user, which allowed residents to rent their cars to those coming from San Francisco International Airport.

FlightCar’s time in Millbrae was tumultuous and city officials pulled the company’s conditional-use permit because of reported issues including three rentals being stolen. Other issues included unapproved electrical generator use, fire hazards and not maintaining the landscape. Lawsuits on both sides followed the revocation.

Ultimately, FlightCar moved to South San Francisco, where it operated until it shuttered in 2016. The company, which had raised millions in venture capital from notable names such as Ryan Seacrest and Ashton Kutcher, closed its 12 locations near airports and sold its technology to Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America to beef up the luxury car brand’s innovation lab for new services.

The Millbrae City Council meets 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, in City Hall, 621 Magnolia Ave.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 105