(BCN/SJS) — A decades-old blighted nook that after housed a fuel station close to Santa Clara College might be remodeled into high-density housing.
The Santa Clara Metropolis Council voted 6-1 earlier this week to approve a brand new housing improvement close to the college. Councilmember Kevin Park was the only real no vote. The approval is vital to breaking floor on the mixed-use housing advanced deliberate at 2655 The Alameda, to revitalize a long-abandoned lot and create much-needed housing close to town’s transit middle.
“The venture will lastly rework a blighted nook and an eyesore of 30-plus years into a wonderful mixed-use constructing for the group,” Kapital Companions developer Anjuli Nanda Habbas stated on the assembly.
Finishing this venture would require an modification to town’s common plan. Councilmember Anthony Becker stated he isn’t in favor of repeatedly amending the final plan for developments, however would on this case to maneuver The Alameda venture ahead.
The developer plans to construct a four-story mixed-use improvement with 39 properties and 1,500 sq. ft of retail house on its floor flooring. 5 of the properties, or 15 p.c, might be designated as inexpensive housing to fulfill metropolis necessities for brand spanking new developments. The advanced is inside strolling distance of the college, bus routes and the Santa Clara Caltrain station.
Mountain View-based Kenneth Rodrigues & Companions designed the constructing, with Swenson Builders appearing as the final contractor. Kapital plans to start development early subsequent yr with a completion date slated for the top of 2025.
Santa Clara steadily faces public pushback every time a high-density housing venture is offered. However The Alameda improvement gained over metropolis leaders. They praised its architectural design and plan to rework a triangle-shaped empty lot, the place rubbish and couches are sometimes dumped, into much-needed housing.
The previous fuel station web site that closed within the Eighties stood vacant till Kapital bought the lower than a half-acre property in 2021, for $1 million.
The Santa Clara Planning Fee voted final month to suggest approving the event. Shreya Chokshi of Catalyze SV, which advocates for extra inexpensive housing, stated the group helps the venture. Santa Clara resident Claudia Daw and a number of other others spoke on the assembly in opposition of the venture.
Daw stated the constructing is simply too tall at 4 tales. Metropolis workers stated the constructing’s peak is corresponding to close by pupil housing and is in step with necessities for city infill beneath state regulation. Daw stated she was additionally involved a couple of 2004 discovering of contaminants within the web site’s soil left from the previous fuel station.
Andrew Crabtree, group improvement director, informed town council that the contamination got here from a previous leaking underground storage tank. He stated an preliminary research discovered that with mitigation, the contaminants may have a lower than vital affect on the neighborhood.
Crabtree stated the developer modified the venture design primarily based on public suggestions to decrease the constructing peak and add an out of doors gathering house. He stated the venture is exempt from native parking necessities on account of its proximity to transit facilities, however gives 34 parking spots and about 80 bicycle areas.
Councilmember Raj Chahal requested the developer to contemplate rising the inexpensive housing to twenty p.c. However earlier than the developer may reply, Santa Clara Metropolis Lawyer Glen Googins stated councilmembers ought to keep away from making any calls for to change the plan at this stage.
Councilmember Park, whereas enamored with the constructing’s location and design, stated it may flip into one other “off campus dorm” with too small of a retail house and too little parking.
“I really feel prefer it’s designed for and aimed toward college students,” Park stated. “If we ask for a common plan modification, it must be one thing higher than what the final plan gives. I don’t see the profit to the group right here.”
Copyright © 2023 Bay Metropolis Information, Inc.
