Posted on: July 3, 2023
Fully affordable Redwood City housing project approved
Source: Daily Journal
Rendering: Van Meter Williams Pollack (VMWP)
A 94-unit, fully affordable housing proposal was recently approved in Redwood City through Senate Bill 35, state legislation that allows projects to move forward after city staff review without public hearings.
Sand Hill Property Company, the applicant behind the project proposal, plans to build a 94-unit for-rent residential building at 1304 Middlefield Road (designed by Van Meter Williams Pollack). The 30,415-square-foot, seven-story building will include a mix of unit sizes from studios to two-bedroom apartments, a community room with a kitchen, computer lab, a multi-use wellness space, outdoor gathering area with a community garden and offices for property management and residents services.
Once complete, units will be listed at 80% below market rate or lower. According to a project narrative, Sand Hill plans to serve community members earning at extremely low, very low and low-income levels. Those income levels range from around $39,000 to $104,400 annually for one person, according to updated state data.
The site was previously owned by Rise City Church which used the lot for about three days a year as the stage for the Bethlehem AD nativity scene. The church also allowed the nonprofit Street Life Ministries to use the lot to distribute clothes and food to homeless community members.
“The SHP Foundation is open to allowing the use of the site for both Bethlehem AD and Street Life Ministries before we begin construction, in addition to brainstorming on ways to keep these community activities going in the future,” read Sand Hill’s project narrative.
The project was approved ministerially by the city’s zoning administrator April 17 with a modified ministerial approval May 16. Under Senate Bill 35, legislation approved in 2017 encouraging and supporting affordable housing development, the application qualified for a streamlined ministerial review process without a public review.
No other SB 35 projects are currently being considered but staff believe one may come forward later in the year at 1580 Maple St. That 1.5-acre site was acquired by the city from the county as part of a land swap agreement in 2021. The county is taking the lead on the project with plans to build 110 fully affordable homes on the site.
More about the project on VMWP website.
Posted in: News
The approval of the Rise City affordable housing project in Redwood City is a significant step towards addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the Bay Area. With the cost of living continually rising, it’s encouraging to see efforts like this aimed at providing more accessible options for residents. The inclusion of a variety of unit sizes and community-focused features will not only help meet the demand for affordable housing but also contribute to creating a more balanced and diverse community. It’s a reminder that thoughtful urban development can play a pivotal role in ensuring that cities grow in ways that benefit all their residents, not just those who can afford skyrocketing rents. Hopefully, this project will inspire further initiatives aimed at making housing more inclusive and equitable in the region.