Target to remain as is in new Tanforan development

The San Bruno City Council and Planning Commission held a joint study session to review the project, which could begin demolition at the earliest mid-2026, according to a staff report. 

Base plans for the project include a significant amount of housing in three separate residential units — including a large 600-unit building with market-rate housing and an affordable housing development with 200 units. 

Developer Alexandria Real Estate Equities is also planning for a retail village with 377,000 square feet, including the existing Target and Century Theatres buildings, and a cluster of three large-scale biotech buildings. 

One third of the development does not have concrete design plans, and will go forward with either life sciences buildings or a combination of mixed-use housing and retail, depending on future need, the staff report said. 

Planning Commissioner Auros Harman expressed concern that the city might move forward with creating an excess of jobs without adequate housing for employees. 

“There is an enormous housing shortage — that’s why run-down houses sell for a million. I think it's awesome that we are bringing high-tech jobs to the community,” he said. “But people gotta live somewhere, and if you don't build enough new housing units to match that somewhere, people will be displaced.” 

Several community members attended the study session to ask the city to negotiate for school district related assistance as they move forward with a community benefits package with the developer. 

“I’m here tonight to reiterate our request that the City Council and city management find a way to consider the needs of San Bruno public schools,” said Heather Latta, San Bruno Education Foundation president. “I ask that you have a vision for these community benefits, so they can really benefit our community.” 

San Bruno hasn’t reached the community benefits negotiation stage, Councilmember Tom Hamilton said, but assured residents it would be top of mind. 

“The plans need to progress further before we get into those negotiations,” he said. “I take continued advocacy for our community on this topic very seriously.” 

Over the next year, several steps must be taken by the city to move the Tanforan project forward, including an environmental impact review and establishing intent to override concerns from San Francisco International Airport around building heights, flight paths and noise. 

Final adoption of an ordinance to move the project to the design phase is planned for November 2025. 

holly@smdailyjournal.com

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