Serra Station project again arrives before officials

Examination of the Serra Station project comes about one month after many Millbrae residents harshly critiqued developer Vince Muzzi’s vision during councilmembers’ initial public discussion.

Worsened traffic congestion, untenable school enrollment growth, compounded neighborhood parking problems and strained public services were among the fears raised by residents analyzing the development.

While acknowledging those concerns, Muzzi said he believes the project aligns with the city’s planning for 116-acre site adjacent to Millbrae Avenue and El Camino Real and is ready for officials’ review.

“I’m anxious to hear what they say about the project and go from there,” he said. “I think we’ve done everything the Millbrae Station Area Plan requires of us and we’ve presented a project that fulfills the requirements of the plan. But I don’t know what’s going to happen, I’m going to find out like everyone else.”

The plan to which Muzzi refers is the policy approved by councilmembers loosening development regulations in the area surrounding the train station, laying the groundwork for more intensive building.

Following officials approving the plan, Muzzi filed a development application as well as Republic Urban, which is seeking to construct about 150,000 square feet of offices, nearly 30,000 square feet of retail space, 400 new housing units and a hotel on BART land abutting the city’s train station.

For his part, Muzzi suggested a portion of the community concern expressed at the previous meeting may have been due to residents confusing his project with the Republic Urban offer. Community members earlier this month also shared criticisms of the project on BART property during a review from councilmembers.

As much of the previous Serra Station meeting discussion was consumed by feedback offered by residents, Muzzi said he is hopeful officials will have an opportunity to offer their perspective during the upcoming session.

‘The council people will have to decide what they want,” he said.

As officials take on the project, they will need to address lingering terms of a development agreement over which Muzzi and City Hall staffers could not agree. Many of the unresolved issues are tied to monetary concessions Muzzi is asked to make to offset potential financial burdens for the city generated by the project, according to a staff report.

Further complicating matters is Serra Station’s potential impact on a neighboring home, as a residential tower violates a city policy seeking to assure large projects do not overshadow private property.

Muzzi said he is in negotiations with the homeowner, and is optimistic the matter could be resolved soon. He would not disclose the nature of the discussions, other than characterizing talks as amicable and suggesting a deal is close.

Considering the years of effort sunk into planning the project, and the chance for Millbrae to generate tax revenue from the development, Muzzi said he is hopeful councilmembers will authorize the development.

“Millbrae has had a plan there for 20 years and got nothing. This is in an opportunity for the city. … The handwriting is on the wall that something has to happen. I hope we have a formula to help the city and help the project get accomplished,” he said.

But considering the deliberate fashion with which the project has moved through the approval process to this point, Muzzi said he is not going into the meeting anticipating a particular outcome.

“I have no idea,” he said. “I’m too old to expect anything.”

The Millbrae City Council meets 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in City Hall, 621 Magnolia Ave.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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