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A developer’s request to close a public street in downtown Mountain View to make way for an eight-story condominium complex is nearing the finish line after a legal dispute with the city.
In a split 4-2 vote, the City Council supported a staff recommendation last week to formally indicate its intention to vacate one block of Fairmont Avenue between Hope and Castro streets. The public utilities in the area would also be removed or relocated. Council members Ellen Kamei and John McAlister cast the dissenting votes at the March 24 meeting while Alison Hicks was recused from the vote.
The council is expected to take a final vote on turning over the street at an April 28 meeting, as well as to vote on the proposed housing development.
GPR Ventures, a real estate investment firm, is seeking to build a 140-unit condominium complex at 881 Castro St. The project would include nearly 10,000 square feet of commercial space and two levels of below-grade parking, according to the staff report.
Dubbed “Castro Commons,” the project site covers roughly 1.4-acres at the northeast corner of the Castro Street and El Camino Real intersection. It extends north for nearly two blocks along Castro Street, stopping short of Yosemite Avenue, and east to Hope Street. It also includes Gateway Park, a patch of green space at the corner of Castro Street and El Camino Real that is frequently used for protests and other gatherings.
Project plans show that GPR Ventures intends to turn the closed off portion of Fairmont Avenue into a pedestrian paseo.
Last October, the city’s zoning administrator recommended the project for approval, while noting that some conditions were still being worked out. The City Council was expected to vote on the project at its Dec. 9 meeting. But the public hearing was not held.
The hearing was rescheduled for March 10, but was again taken off the agenda. Instead, council members discussed the project in closed session, which is not open to the public.
City Attorney Jennifer Logue reported afterwards that the City Council, in a 4-1 vote, authorized a $2 million settlement with GPR Ventures. The dispute was over the calculation of park fees, she said. The city charges developers these fees to offset the cost of providing parks and recreational facilities for the residents moving into new housing developments.
Kamei cast the lone dissenting vote. Hicks was recused from the vote and McAlister was absent from the March 10 meeting.
The Voice asked for a copy of the settlement on March 11 but city spokesperson Lenka Wright said that it had not been drafted yet. The Voice contacted the city again on March 30 and was informed that the settlement was still not ready.
Without a copy of the settlement, the specifics of the conflict between the city and GPR Ventures is unknown, as well as the terms of their agreement.
Last week, Kamei registered her opposition to the city’s intention to vacate Fairmont Avenue, tying it to the council’s closed-door discussion about the park fee dispute.
“I’m just going to register my no vote, which is consistent with how I voted when it came out of closed session,” she said at the March 24 meeting.
When the Castro Commons project comes before the council later this month, the city will also disclose details about the terms for the sale of Fairmont Avenue, according to the staff report.
Voted on behind closed doors makes the document now public! What are they worried about?
A public hearing on a secret (or maybe not even written) settlement?
My only concern with all these new housing projects is traffic concerns. I have been driving for Lyft over the past two years and although I get compensated for my time I am worried that our infrastructure no being able to support all the vehicles on the road. Rush hour used to be from 5-6:30 and now it starts as early as 2 pm
No mention of when construction will commence.
Like others here, I am concerned about traffic, but I am also concerned about aesthetics. Look what has happened to downtown Sunnyvale. And the cramped blocks off San Antonio. If our little town continues to add tall buildings, we will not be “Mountain View” any more. Perhaps “Developer Interests View”?
I think this apartment building will be a fine addition to downtown.
If you’re concerned about the aesthetics of San Antonio, please remember the run-down Sears that was there before.
No problem with the development but would be sad to entirely lose Gateway Plaza! A great place to assemble.
Maybe more customers (or perhaps employees) within walking distance would keep more businesses around Castro Street from shuttering, which we’ve had far too much of lately!