Redwood City considers proposed senior housing tower

The proposal also includes 1,200 square feet of retail space, and tenants would be provided meals, housekeeping, personal care assistance, supervision and access to shared amenities. With the comprehensive care package — and on-site amenities including a theater, gym, yoga room, dining room, swimming pool, community rooms and more — the costs of providing these amenities has limited developers in offering any affordable units.

Planning Commissioner Rick Hunter described the proposed building as a “landmark project if approved” that deserves scrutiny and more comprehensive community outreach than already completed.

“It could redefine downtown, it could redefine Redwood City, it is that much bigger than other things here, so we want to get it right,” Hunter said.

The proposed building is over 234 feet tall, located along Marshall Street, which then steps down to a two-story above ground parking garage, with a total of 95 spaces, along Spring Street. On top of the garage would be a landscaped terrace.

Hunter and other commissioners expressed their concern about the building’s height, but the city and developers are weighing the significant senior housing stock the project would add. Some on the commission and committee said they weren’t bothered by the significant height of the building.

Support for the project is largely due to its hefty new supply of housing for an aging demographic.

Project Applicant Steve Reller of R&M Properties noted the aging population is increasing at a far more rapid pace than senior housing is being built.

“This year, the baby boom generation begins to turn 80,” Reller said. The coming decades will bring a demographic shift unlike anything we have ever seen before and Redwood City will feel it acutely.”

In the next 20 years, Redwood City’s population is expected to grow approximately 4%, while those over 70 years old will increase by 70% in the same time period. That equates to more than 8,000 seniors over 70 than there are today.

“Without action, this shortage will only get worse and will force many seniors to move from the city they call home. ... 910 Marshall is one important step toward filling that gap and keeping lifelong residents in the community they can home,” Reller said

Planning Commissioner Shishir Bhat said after visiting a similarly tall senior housing facility in Santa Clara County, he better understands the appeal of a tower.

“You don’t get the same community aspect when it’s a much more spread apart design,” Bhat said.

Kevin Dang, with the architecture firm associated with the proposal, emphasized this point, stating that the tower and building design was considered necessary for the services provided. Considering how residents will make their ways throughout the facility, arriving and departing from it, informed why a tower and consolidation of core elements of the design was needed, Dang said.

Beyond the height, concerns were also raised by commissioners over the Spring Street frontage, which is the three-story backside of the parking garage.

Currently, the designs are underwhelming, commissioners and committee members agreed. There are currently no trees proposed along the street, and Commissioner Craig Robinson describes the facade as problematic.

The meeting was a lengthy delve into a controversial project that could result in the tallest building on the Peninsula south of San Francisco, and one of the tallest residential facilities in the state.

Redwood City staff is currently reviewing the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act to determine what analysis will be required. The applicant is working on developing a proposed design that is more consistent with downtown development standards and is seeking feedback on the site before resubmitting.

Once the project is resubmitted and deemed consistent with city standards, the project will return to the Architectural Advisory Committee for a formal recommendation to the Planning Commission, which will provide its own recommendation to the City Council for approval.