San Carlos OKs plans for 24 condos

Aimed at encouraging homeowners without cars to move there and take advantage of the building’s proximity to public transportation hubs, the concept sparked some concern among officials, who sought more detail on how the units could be sold separately from the parking offered on site and also asked architect Steve Kellond if the developer would consider changing the building design to reduce the massing of the four-story building.

By removing a request to offer unbundled parking, setting the northeast corner of the building farther back from the building’s front and side walls and designated four parking spaces for guests, the developer largely addressed the Planning Commission’s previous concerns.

Expected to provide one three-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom units, the project would replace two vacant commercial buildings where Applewood Pizzeria formerly operated and the Patio bar still operates. Of the three below-market rate units offered, two will be affordable to moderate-income households while one will be affordable to low-income households, according to a staff report.

One 1,320-square-foot retail space and a 1,436-square-foot restaurant space with covered seating and patio area are also included in plans for the ground floor of the building facing El Camino Real. Because of an AT&T easement running through the property, the developer is planning to provide 35 above-ground parking spaces through a mix of 11 regular parking spaces, eight tandem spaces offered to residents living in the same unit, two ADA accessible spaces and a three-stack puzzle lift system with 14 spots, according to a staff report.

City planner Lisa Costa Sanders said the developer may submit a request for unbundled parking at a later date, according to a video of the Jan. 22 meeting.