Growth concerns versus displacement raised in townhome project talks in South San Francisco

As pressure to boost housing development increases, developments like the Maple Avenue project are some of the most well-received, given its proximity to transit and downtown. And while much of the recent residential construction along the Peninsula consists of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and condominiums, most of which are rentals, some city leaders have expressed the desire for more single-family units, such as townhomes. In August, the City Council approved a 70-townhome development with for-sale units in the Lindenville neighborhood.

At the same time the city works toward its ambitious state-mandated housing goals — it needs to approve almost 4,000 units between 2023-31 — it’s also trying to beef up tenant protections. Many cities throughout the county are starting to review their anti-displacement policies that go above and beyond Assembly Bill 1482, which places more restrictions on evictions, caps rental increases for many housing units and requires relocation assistance for some no-fault evictions.

Earlier this year, South San Francisco passed an ordinance that requires preference for current or previous city residents in affordable housing applications. The city’s Anti-Displacement Community Advisory Committee was also created last year in hopes of identifying other tenant protection-related programs as well.

The Maple Avenue project is surfacing what are sometimes competing concerns — preventing displacement while spurring more development. Though staff said it’s likely the city could connect them with relocation resources, neighbors raised concern that the occupants of the home that will be demolished — a family with young children — will be displaced.

“This would displace [our neighbors], and they would have to leave the area,” Dave Rodriguez said during a Planning Commission meeting Oct. 16. “They’re a wonderful family.”

Commissioner John Baker said he was concerned about displacement, however, he said more housing will help longtime residents remain in South City in the future.

“We’ve seen as jobs and housing have grown — jobs have grown much faster than housing — that the housing supply has fallen behind,” Baker said. “[Displacement] is going to be a lot worse if we don’t plan for the residents and employees that are coming in that will otherwise outbid and outlast the old timers.”

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to support and recommend the project to the City Council.