Legislation Details

File #: 26-729    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Public Hearing/General Business Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 6/23/2026 In control: Planning Commission
On agenda: 9/2/2026 Final action:
Title: Public Hearing: Action on the Proposed Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Medium Density Residential (R3) (PLN25-00390) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map (PLN25-00409) to Allow Development of 44 Townhouse Units Located at 1816 Worthington Circle. CEQA: Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Agrihood Project.
Attachments: 1. Vicinity Map, 2. Resolution Recommending Council Deny the Rezone, 3. Resolution Recommending Council Deny the Vesting Tenative Subdivision Map, 4. Conditions of Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map Approval, 5. Addendum to Final EIR for Agrihood, 6. Public Comments, 7. Project Data and Compliance Table, 8. Development Plans, 9. Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, 10. PMM Correspondence, 11. PMM Correspondence - Cantore
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo or Audio
No records to display.

REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION

SUBJECT

Title

Public Hearing: Action on the Proposed Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Medium Density Residential (R3) (PLN25-00390) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map (PLN25-00409) to Allow Development of 44 Townhouse Units Located at 1816 Worthington Circle. CEQA: Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Agrihood Project. 

 

Report

SUMMARY

The applicant, The Core Companies, requests approval of a Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Medium Density Residential (R3) and a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map to allow development of 44 for-sale townhouse units at 1816 Worthington Circle. The subject site is part of the previously approved Agrihood Project, which included 160 mixed-income apartment units with 16 moderate-income affordable units in the plan for this portion of the site.

 

The proposed project would replace the previously approved 160 mixed-income apartment units with 44 for-sale townhomes, including six moderate-income affordable units and payment of an in-lieu fee for the remaining fractional (.6 of a unit) affordable housing obligation.

 

The applicant’s request to rezone from a PD to R3 is a discretionary action which requires final City Council approval. Based on the reduction in density and affordability compared to the previously approved project and inconsistencies with the City’s Housing Element inventory assumptions, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt resolutions recommending that the City Council deny the proposed Rezone and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map. Staff also recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Agrihood Project.

 

REPORT IN BRIEF

Applicant: Vince Cantore / The Core Companies

Owner: Agrihood Multi LLC

General Plan: Medium Density Residential

Zoning: PD - Planned Development

Site Area: 1.8 acres (78,482 square feet)

Existing Site Conditions: The existing site is vacant.

 

Surrounding Land Uses:

                     North: Two-story Residential (PD)

                     East: Open Space and Urban Farm (PD)

                     South: Senior Apartments and Commercial Use (PD)

                     West: Three-Story Townhomes (PD)

 

Issues: Consistency with the City’s General Plan, Housing Element, and Zoning Ordinance.

 

Planning Commission Recommendation:

Adopt Resolutions Recommending that the City Council

                     Deny the requested Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Medium Density Residential (R3) and

                     Deny the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map to Allow Development of 44 Townhouse Units at 1816 Worthington Circle.

 

BACKGROUND

The project site, commonly known as Agrihood, is currently zoned as a Planned Unit (PD) development with 62.2 dwelling units per acre (dua) originally approved in 2019. The applicant now wishes to rezone a portion of the site to R3 with 24.44 dua, a lower density.

 

In accordance with Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020.D.3, the applicant filed an application on July 3, 2025, for Architectural Review to construct 44 townhouse units (File No. PLN25-00255).

 

On September 10, 2025, The Core Companies (“Applicant”) filed an application (File No. PLN25-00390) to rezone the subject property from PD - Planned Development zoning district to R3 - Medium Design Residential zoning district.

 

On September 16, 2025, the applicant filed an application for a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map (File No. PLN25-00409) to allow the creation of a subdivision for condominium purposes to accommodate a project with 44 townhomes and associated site improvements such as vehicular driveways.

 

 

Original Units Approved

Revised Units

Senior Affordable Units

165 affordable units

165 affordable units

Market Rate Townhomes

36 units

36 units

Mixed-Income Apartments

160 units (16 affordable)

44 units (6 affordable)

Total Units

361 units

245 units

Total Affordable Units

181 units

171 units

Dwelling Units Per Acre

62.2 dua

24.44 dua

 

Project History and Prior Entitlements

The entire 5.8-acre site was part of a larger 17-acre property formerly owned by the University of California as the Bay Area Research and Extension Center (BAREC). The State Department of General Services sold the Property to the City’s Housing Authority in 2011 and as part of the transaction, required that the site be developed with approximately 165 affordable senior housing units. The remainder of the larger 17-acre site was developed with 110 single-family residences and a one-acre park in 2013-14.

 

The City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the 5.8-acre remainder site in early 2015. On September 29, 2015, the Council selected Core Affordable Housing, LLC (“Core”) as the developer of the Property and authorized the negotiation and execution of an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement (ENA) between the City and Core. Core’s project proposal included the development of the required 165 senior affordable apartment units, as well as 160 multi-family mixed-income apartments with 16 affordable units, and 36 townhouses.

 

Original Project History

On January 29, 2019, City Council approved a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) with Core Companies which expired in May 2021. However, the land use entitlements were for the entire 5.3 acre site to allow for the development of 165 affordable senior apartments, 160 mixed-income apartments of which 16 units would be affordable and 1,963 square-foot retail, 36 townhomes, 1.5 acres of open space, 1,833 square-foot commercial space, 1,207 square-foot shed, and community kitchen on an approximately 5.8 acre site (“Original Project”).  The original project proposed a total of 361 residential units. These approvals included:

                     Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)

                     Statement of Overriding Considerations and a Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program (MMRP)

                     Rezoning to Planned Development (PD) to allow the development of 165 affordable senior apartments, 160 multi-family mixed-income apartments, and 36 townhouses.

                     Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map

                     Disposition and Development Agreement

 

The original entitlement was not subject to the Affordable Housing Ordinance (AHO), in accordance with City Council-adopted Resolution 17-8482 to start a phase-in period where applications that received planning approval by December 1, 2020, would not be subject to the AHO. The project proposed to provide affordable housing through 165 Below-Market-Rate (BMR) senior apartments and 10% of the 160 mixed-income apartments to be affordable (16 BMR units). 

 

To date, the applicant has completed the following aspects of the entitled project:

                     One building containing 165 BMR units reserved for seniors and veterans at an average of approximately 45% AMI.

                     A market rate development containing 36 for-sale townhomes.

                     Open space with performance area and urban farm fronting onto Winchester Boulevard

                     1,833 square-foot café

                     1,207 square-foot shed

                     Community kitchen

 

The 160 mixed-income apartments with 1,963 square-foot retail have not been completed.

 

Proposed Project

On September 2025, the applicant filed a planning application to rezone the subject property from PD - Planned Development to R3 - Medium Density Residential to allow construction of 44 for-sale townhouse units, including 6 affordable units. The applicant has stated that current market conditions do not allow them to move forward with entitled 160 mixed income units, which include 16 BMR units.

 

Requested Actions

Implementation of the proposed project requires the City Council to take action on a rezone and a vesting tentative map.  Pursuant to the Santa Clara City Code, the Planning Commission must conduct a public hearing to make recommendations to the City Council on said actions.  The specific actions required, and staff’s recommendation on such actions, are as follows:

1.                     Recommend Denial of the Rezone from PD - Planned Development to R3 - Medium Density Residential

2.                     Recommend Denial of the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map for Condominium Purposes to Allow Development of 44 Townhouse Units

3.                     Recommend Approval of the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for Agrihood Project

 

The project also requires Architectural Review, which will address the construction of the 44 townhomes, site design, and architecture. In accordance with Chapter 18.120, Architectural Review is conducted by the Director of Community Development or designee through a Development Review Hearing (DRH) process, which is a public hearing. The DRH will be scheduled after the Planning Commission and City Council hearings.

 

 

DISCUSSION

Proposed Project

The applicant proposes to construct 44 townhouses, within five three-story townhouse-style buildings. The building configuration includes one twelve-unit (12-plex) building and four eight-unit (8-plex) buildings. The buildings would have a maximum height of 45 feet. Each townhouse would have a two-car garage on the ground floor, with residential units above. The project includes pedestrian walkways along the perimeter to serve the buildings. Direct vehicular access to the site is provided from Worthington Circle with a 26-foot two-way driveway that connects two drive aisles serving the townhome buildings. The proposed driveway is proposed to end with pneumatic bollards and does not connect to the existing emergency vehicle access road/pedestrian paseo to the south. The project would provide 15 percent of the total number units as moderate-income affordable units, consisting of 6 units and payment of an in-lieu fee for the 0.6 fractional unit obligation. Pursuant to the State Density Bonus Law, the project qualifies for one incentive or concession and any waivers that physically preclude the construction of a development.

 

Primary considerations for denial of the project include inconsistency with the City’s Housing Element, General Plan, and conformance with the City Code requirements for the R3 - Medium Density Residential zoning district. Moreover, the project site is a high opportunity site near high-capacity transit and mixed-use commercial. The site is located across the largest regional shopping and entertainment area (Valley Fair Mall and Santana Row) that is within/adjacent to Santa Clara and is well served by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bus routes.

 

Consistency with the Housing Element

The original project, approved in January 2019, is listed in the Housing Sites Inventory, including the recorded affordable housing agreement to provide the 160 mixed-income apartments at 10% moderately affordable (or 16 units). Housing Element law requires a quantification of each jurisdiction’s share of the regional housing need as established in the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Plan. The City of Santa Clara has a RHNA of 11,632 housing units to accommodate in the 2023-2031 housing element period. Of the 11,632 units, 1,981 units are allocated to be moderate income. The 160 mixed-income units, including the 16 moderate income affordable units, were included towards the 2023-2031 RHNA as an approved project. The proposed project reduces the total number of units from 160 units to 44 units and affordable units from 16 units to 6 units.

 

Staff finds that the proposed project is inconsistent with the City’s Housing Element because it would reduce the City’s RHNA unit surplus and underutilize a vacant, high-opportunity site near transit and mixed-use commercial uses. The proposed project is inconsistent with the following Housing Element Policies:

 

Housing Element Policies

                     Housing Element Policy B-1: Policy B-1: Identify potential sites for affordable housing units in areas of “high opportunity” as defined by the state.

The subject site is identified by the State as a highest resource area and a “high opportunity” site for affordable housing. The proposed project is inconsistent with this policy as it proposes to reduce the density from 160 units to 44 units, affordable units from 16 units to 6 units, and would reduce the affordability term from 55 years for rental units to 5 years for ownership units, undermining the site’s role as a key housing opportunity site.

                     Housing Element Policy B-2: Encourage the building of high-density housing on appropriate vacant or underutilized sites.

                     Housing Element Policy B-5: Encourage high density residential development utilizing the City’s higher density and mixed-use residential designations in proximity to transit and other residential services.

 

The subject site received approval to construct 160 units in 2019 but is currently vacant. The site is located near multiple Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus routes (Rapid 523, 60, and 59) which qualifies as a major transit stop, as described in Public Resources Code 21155, 21064.3, and 21060.2. Commercial and mixed-uses, such as Westfield Valley Fair, Santana Row and other residential serving commercial uses located on Stevens Creek Boulevard are in proximity to the subject site. The proposed residential project would reduce the density and affordability approved with the original project and included in the Housing Element inventory on a vacant site near transit and mixed-use commercial uses.

 

Consistency with the General Plan

The General Plan land use designation for the project site is Medium Density Residential. This designation is intended for residential development at densities ranging from 20 to 36 units per acre (du/ac) to accommodate a variety of housing types near neighborhood centers and mixed uses. As proposed, the project would be at the lower end of the density range, at 24.44 dwelling units per acre.

 

The original project was entitled to allow development of a total of 361 dwelling units including senior apartments, multi-family apartments, and townhouses, at a density of 62.2 units per acre, which exceeded the density normally allowed for Medium Density Residential. However, because more than half of the proposed dwelling units (181 affordable units) were designated as affordable, the project qualified for application of General Plan Discretionary Use Policy 5.5.1-P4:

 

                     5.5.1-P4: For residential development providing greater than 50 percent of the total number of units for affordable housing on residentially designated properties, allow development at any residential density provided that the increased density is compatible with planned uses on neighboring properties and consistent with other applicable General Plan policies.

 

The fully entitled development of 361 dwelling units on 5.8 acres yields a density of 62.2 dwelling units per acre, which is within the allowable density range under the General Plan's Very High Density land use designation pursuant to this General Plan policy. Because this is a new application to rezone the subject parcel from Planned Development zoning district to Medium Density Residential zoning district, the proposed project would no longer qualify for application of the Policy 5.5.1-P4 as it does not designate more than half of the proposed units as affordable. The number of units decreases and is no longer consistent with the original entitlements of Very High Density. With the proposed project, the total number of dwelling units decreases from 361 to 245 dwelling units, and the affordable units decreases from 181 units to 171 units. 

Overall, the proposed project is inconsistent with the General Plan goals and policies in that it reduces high-density housing on vacant site and near transit. The proposed project is inconsistent with the following General Plan policies:

General Land Use Policies

                     5.3.1P13: Support high density and intensity development within a quartermile of transit hubs and stations and along transit corridors.

                     5.3.1P20: Encourage uses and development on Cityowned and leased land that is consistent with the General Plan land use classification or applicable Focus Area, Neighborhood Compatibility or Historic Preservation Policies.

The subject site is located near multiple Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus routes (Rapid 523, 60, and 59), which qualifies as a major transit stop. The proposed project reduces the density near transit.

The affordable housing land is ground leased to the developer and the City still retains ownership of the land. As part of the 2019 entitlement, the City approved the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) to sell the market rate and mixed-income parcels to the developer and enter into a ground lease for the affordable senior housing parcel. At the time of the Request for Proposals, the City did not propose a ground lease for any portion of the project, but the affordable housing would have required additional City subsidies. All proposals contemplated the use of proceeds from the market rate and mixed-income components of the project for the benefit of the required affordable component. At the time Core was selected, an additional City cash contribution in the range of $4 to $6 million was contemplated. However, the project was able to secure funding through Measure A which required the affordable senior housing parcel to be retained in public ownership, leading to a ground lease on the affordable senior housing parcel.

After the market-rate and mixed-income parcels were sold to Core, the City made available those funds to finance development of the Senior Housing and Farm Parcels through the City's loan agreement with CORE. Under the proposed loan structure, the City would receive a 3% annual return on the loan, in addition to repayment of the principal, from available residual receipts. The loan would mature 55 years from the date of the agreement.

Although the City does not directly own or lease the Market Rate or Mixed Income Parcels, the DDA, Ground Lease, and loan agreement were structured with the understanding that the additional financing provided through the City loan, together with the mixed-income development, would contribute to and support the required affordable housing component of the overall project. There is now a proposed reduction of affordable units, therefore, the proposed project is not consistent with Policy 5.3.1-P20.

 

Residential Land Use Goals and Policies

                     5.3.2.P6: Provide adequate choices for housing tenure, type, and location, including higher density, and affordability for low- and moderate-income and special needs households.

                     5.3.2-P7: Construct and preserve affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households through the use of public subsidies, regulatory incentives and flexible development standards.

The proposed project would reduce the number of housing units and moderate-income affordable units and would replace rental housing with a 55-year affordability term with for-sale townhomes subject to a five-year affordability term.

                     5.3.2-P2: Encourage higherdensity residential development in transit and mixeduse areas and in other locations throughout the City where appropriate.

                     5.3.2-P9: Encourage senior and group residential facilities, and affordable housing developments near neighborhood retail, support services, and transit facilities.

The subject site is located near retail uses such as Westfield Valley Fair, Santana Row, and commercial uses on Stevens Creek Boulevard. It is also near to VTA bus routes. The proposed project would eliminate the 1,963 square-feet of proposed retail in the 160 mixed-income apartments.

Staff understands that market conditions may affect development, however as described in this report, City stakeholders and staff need to weigh the adopted Housing Element, City’s obligation for RHNA and reporting through the annual report to the State.

 

Consistency with Zoning Code

The project would rezone the property from PD - Planned Development to R3 - Medium Density Residential to accommodate the construction of 44 market rate units of which 6 are affordable units. The purpose of the R3 zoning district is to provide land areas for the construction, use, and occupancy of two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings (i.e., rowhouses, townhouses). It is the intent of this zone to ensure compatibility of duplex-type development with surrounding multi- and single-family dwellings and the local neighborhoods. The action to rezone from Planned Development to R3 is a discretionary action that requires final approval from City Council. The project proposes a density of 24.4 units per acre that would be in conformance with the R3 density range of 20-36 units per acre. However, in considering the action, the density is reduced from 62.2 dwelling units per acre.

 

The project is required to adhere to site-specific development standards set forth in the proposed R3 zoning district. However, under State Density Bonus Law the applicant has requested the following waivers:

                     Increase in height from the allowed 40 feet to 41 feet 6 inches

                     Reduction in front setback from 10 feet to 5 feet

                     Reduction in rear setback from 15 feet to 8 feet

 

The Rezone and Architecture Review project was deemed cleared by the City’s Project Clearance Committee (PCC) on May 5, 2026. A deemed cleared means that the applicant has complied with all the technical items, including all the technical studies prior to being scheduled for Planning Commission or City Council.

 

Affordable Housing

Because this application is being processed as a new application than the original project, the proposed project is subject to the City’s Affordable Housing Ordinance, Chapter 17.40 and is required to designate 15 percent of the 44 units (or 6.6 units) as affordable. The project proposes six units of the total units for households as moderate-income units. The 0.6 fraction will be paid in in-lieu fees. Affordable units shall be reasonably dispersed throughout the project and contain the same number of bedrooms as the market rate units within the project.

 

Subdivision

In accordance with Chapter 17.05 of the City Code, the project requires a tentative subdivision map. The application proposes a subdivision for residential condominium purposes. The Subdivision Committee reviewed and deemed the application cleared on March 10, 2026, and appropriate Conditions of Approval were added and are available as Attachment 4.

 

Site Design, Architecture, and Parking

The project features five three-story residential buildings, Building Type A consists of 12 townhome units, and each of the four Building Type B buildings consists of eight townhome units. The proposed architecture is similar in style and design to the existing 36 townhomes to the west in that, the buildings are modern architectural style with elements from the “agriculture theme” approved in 2019 and provides a mix of materials. Formal evaluation of architecture will occur through the Architectural Review process in accordance with Chapter 18.120 of the City Code as the current proposed elevations are being refined.

 

The project provides a total of 88 parking spaces (2 covered garage spaces per townhome unit), whereas the code requires 66 parking spaces. The proposed parking exceeds the parking requirement per Zoning Code Section 18.22.050 (1.5 parking spaces for each two- and three-bedroom unit). Consistent with the City Code, the project would provide one secure private bicycle parking space per unit located in each townhome unit garage (44 Class I bicycle parking spaces) and 10 short-term, public Class II bicycle spaces. The Development Plans are in Attachment 8.

 

Proposed Planning Commission Actions

The project is presented to the Planning Commission for consideration and discretionary action. The following specific actions are required:

 

1.                     CEQA: Recommend Approval of the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Agrihood Project.

2.                     Rezoning: Adopt the resolution recommending that the City Council deny the Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Medium Density Residential (R3). Although this is a legislative action, any rezoning must be consistent with the General Plan. The Planning Commission is unable to find the proposed rezoning is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan.

3.                     Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map: Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council deny a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map. The Tentative Subdivision Map is a quasi-judicial decision with a list of required findings, including that the site is suitable for the density and design of development and that the project is consistent with the General Plan. The Planning Commission is unable to make the findings for Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map:

a.                     General Plan Consistency: The subdivision would not be consistent with the General Plan goals and policies in that the project reduces high-density housing and affordability on a vacant site near transit and mixed-use areas (Policy 5.3.1-P13 and Policy 5.3.2-P2).

b.                     Site Suitability: The Project was previously approved to accommodate higher density to provide housing near transit and commercial areas. The reduction in density and affordable housing is not consistent with the site’s location near transit and commercial services, and with existing and planned development in the surrounding area.

c.                     Zoning Code Compatibility: The Project meets most of the development standards of the Zoning code, although the inclusion of the affordable units allows the application to the use of the State density bonus law to seek waivers from selected standards. The applicant has requested the following waivers:

i.                     Increase in height from the allowed 40 feet to 41 feet 6 inches

ii.                     Reduction in front setback from 10 feet to 5 feet

iii.                     Reduction in rear setback from 15 feet to 8 feet

d.                     No Adverse Effects: The design of the subdivision and type of improvements are not likely to cause substantial environmental damage and will not substantially or unavoidably injure fish and wildlife or their habitat in that the Project Site is located in an urbanized setting, on a previously developed site, and includes a previously adopted Final Environmental Impact Report.

e.                     Conflicts with Easements: The design of the subdivision will not conflict with easements acquired by the public at large or use property within the proposed subdivision because the Project has been designed to avoid encroachments and conflicts with public easements.

 

The Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map includes the conditions of approval in the form drafted by staff (Attachment 4).

 

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

An Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Agrihood Project was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The proposed Architectural Review, Rezone, and Vesting Tentative Map were evaluated by the Addendum and will not result in a new impact on the environment or significantly increase the severity of any previously identified impact. Accordingly, no further environmental review under CEQA is necessary in connection with the approval of the Rezone and Vesting Tentative Map. Approval of the Addendum is appropriate regardless of the Planning Commission’s recommended action on the rezone and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map because the Addendum documents the environmental analysis of the proposal; it does not constitute approval of the proposed entitlements. Attachment 5 includes the Addendum, Appendices, and Trip Generation and Vehicles Miles Traveled Analysis.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact to the City associated with processing the requested applications other than

administrative time and expense, which are typically covered by processing fees paid by the applicant.

 

COORDINATION

This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Housing Division.

 

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made by posting the Planning Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.

 

Community Meetings

On November 5, 2025, an online and in-person community meeting was held at City Hall Cafeteria. A notice of the meeting was mailed to 940 property owners and tenants within 1/4 mile of the project site. Fourteen people attended in-person and 15 people attended online. Community feedback focused on activation of the open/common space, affordability commitments tied to the original approval, whether lower density townhomes are appropriate based on housing needs and prior approval, financing structure, and parking and traffic impacts.

 

On April 20, 2026, an in-person community meeting was held at the project site. A notice of the meeting was mailed to 940 property owners and tenants within 1/4 mile of the project site. There were 12 people in attendance at the meeting. Community feedback focused on site design and configuration, whether other options were considered before submitting for the 44 townhomes project, and financing for the original project.   

 

On August 10, 2026, the notice of public hearing for this item was mailed to 940 property owners and tenants within ¼ mile of the project site. Notice of this item was published in The Weekly, a newspaper of general circulation, on August 12, 2026.

 

At the time of this staff report, the Planning Division received comments from 27 interested parties. 16 interested parties sent comment letters in opposition to the project. 11 interested parties sent comment letters in support of the project. The public comment letters are available as Attachment 6. Letters in opposition of the proposed project generally identified concerns regarding the reduction in density from 160 units to 44 units on site near commercial uses, long-term affordability and accessibility of 160 apartment units versus townhomes, financing of the original Agrihood project with the intent of constructing the 160 mixed-income units, and the engagement process for the original Agrihood project. Letters in support of the project generally discussed existing parking and traffic concerns, homeownership over rental, and community safety.

 

RECOMMENDATION

Recommendation

Staff recommends denial of the proposed rezone to R3 based on inconsistency with the City’s Housing Element because it would reduce the City’s RHNA unit surplus and underutilize a vacant, high-opportunity site near transit and mixed-use commercial uses.

1.                     Recommend to the City Council Approval of the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Agrihood Project.

2.                     Adopt a Resolution Recommending the City Council Deny the Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Medium Density Residential (R3).

3.                     Adopt a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Deny a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map.

 

Staff

Prepared by: Meha Patel, Associate Planner

Reviewed by: Glen Googins, City Attorney

Approved by: Lesley Xavier, Planning Manager

 

ATTACHMENTS

1.                     Vicinity Map

2.                     Resolution Recommending Council Deny the Rezone

3.                     Resolution Recommending Council Deny the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map

4.                     Conditions of Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map Approval

5.                     Addendum to Final EIR for Agrihood

6.                     Public Comments

7.                     Project Data and Compliance

8.                     Development Plans

9.                     Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map