Parking access in downtown San Mateo faces scrutiny

“It’s really a question of, with all the development that’s going on in the city … what are the residents getting out of it? When we’re supposed to get these benefits and then we don’t, why are we giving these things away? Why are we agreeing to these things in the first place?” he said.

Windy Hill solidified a contract with the city in 2019 and agreed to provide 150 parking spaces at 406 E. Third Ave., at the edge of the Central Neighborhood. According to the terms of the contract, signs must be placed outside the structure for the public’s reference. The City Attorney’s Office sent two letters in December notifying both Windy Hill and its tenant, Verkada, to reopen the garage, city staff said in an email. They also recently met to discuss the issue on-site Tuesday, Jan. 9. 

Mike Field, principal at Windy Hill, said Verkada employees experienced a security incident in September but did not divulge details, but said law enforcement was not involved. 

“No assault occurred. Nothing happened, but it raised the concern level among the tenant and residents,” Field said. 

Weinhauer said such an ambiguous response shouldn’t warrant the garage’s closure for months on end, and the move affects nearby business owners whose customers could be dissuaded from trafficking the area if parking is unavailable. He added that due to Windy Hill’s heavy presence in the city, these violations should come with concrete repercussions and stricter conditions as it seeks approval on additional developments.  

Such issues underscore oftentimes tense relationships between some residents and real estate developers, especially in areas that have seen substantial growth in recent years, including downtown San Mateo. Concerns around the planned mixed-use development Block 21, for instance, has stirred recent controversy, as the lot, meant to accommodate 180,000 square feet of office space and 111 residential units, remains empty while Windy Hill works to finalize entitlements and secure additional financing. Field said bashing otherwise good partners like Verkada, that has ushered in robust economic activity to the city, isn’t a productive approach to fostering better relationships.

“Vilifying a community stakeholder like Verkada because they’re having a concern here — someone who supports our downtown and supports our community in a remarkable way in a way that many companies don’t. I don’t think it’s the right course of action,” he said. “And it’s coming from a minority of residents that, anytime something isn’t done exactly how they want it, they start throwing grenades.”

He said it’s still unclear when the garage will reopen but is working with the firm to do so when Verkada “feels safe and comfortable that it is a secure environment.” According to city staff, the matter could potentially be litigated if Verkada remains noncompliant. Verkada did not respond for requests for comment.