Subdivision committee recommends approval of 47-unit condo project at 266–272 Tirella Avenue

The Administrative Zoning and Subdivision Committee on Aug. 13, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the city council approve a four‑story, 47‑unit condominium project at 266 and 272 Tirella Avenue, including a heritage tree removal permit to remove eight heritage trees and a recommended categorical exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) section 15332.

The recommendation, made by Zoning Administrator Amber Blasinski and seconded by the subdivision committee, moves the project to a city council public hearing tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025, where the council will make the final decision.

The project site consists of two parcels totaling about 1.01 acres on the west side of Tirella Avenue across Quito Drive. The proposal calls for a four‑story condominium building above one level of underground parking and a vesting tentative map to create one common parcel and 47 residential condominium units. Staff reported the project is eligible for a 42.5% state density bonus (which could permit up to 52 units), but the applicant is proposing 11 density bonus units for a total of 47. The proposal requests four waivers to standards, including maximum height, minimum setbacks for floors two through four, increased maximum floor area ratio and increased maximum site coverage. Staff found the application consistent with the general plan and zoning and recommended approval.

Senior planner Krisha Pagnoliar (project presentation) told the committee the site is primarily surrounded by two‑story apartments and condominiums and one‑story single‑family residences and that staff was recommending approval. Architect Bill Masten, representing the applicant, said the design team had worked with staff for years to address access, fire and life‑safety issues and to preserve as many trees as feasible. “Believe it or not, though the site seems simple, it’s actually complex when you address issues as far as access, fire, life safety, and even taking advantage of as many of the existing trees on the property as possible,” Masten said.

Two members of the public spoke during the hearing. Lehi Abrams asked about the number of underground parking spaces per unit and traffic impacts on Tirella Avenue near Middlefield, citing a recent collision in the area. A nearby resident who lives at the 227–229 Easy Street properties asked about the construction timeline, noise, dirt, the presence of an easement along a fence line and which trees would remain on the parcel. Krisha Pagnoliar and Bill Masten answered several of those questions on the record: the project proposes one parking space per unit for a total of 47 spaces, and staff noted the project site is within a half‑mile of transit. Masten estimated a minimum of about two years to obtain approvals before construction would start and then roughly two years of construction time from start to finish.

As Zoning Administrator, Amber Blasinski said she would approve the development review permit, the heritage tree removal permit and the recommended CEQA categorical exemption and moved to approve item 4.1 “based on the findings and conditions posted online and the application materials reviewed by city staff, including all public comments submitted prior to and at the hearing,” while reminding the public that her decision is a recommendation to the city council. The subdivision committee then discussed and voted to recommend approval of the vesting tentative map, subject to conditions of approval and conformance with the general plan and zoning code. The subdivision committee vote was unanimous; both committee members present voted yes. The committee noted the recommendation will go to the city council, which is scheduled to act on the development permits and the map on Sept. 23, 2025.

Project documents, conditions of approval and staff findings are posted online; staff said members of the public with follow‑up questions may contact the project planner for additional details, including the landscaping/tree plan and confirmation about any existing easements.

Votes at a glance: The subdivision committee (two members present) recommended approval of the development review permit, heritage tree removal permit (removal of eight heritage trees) and vesting tentative map for 266–272 Tirella Avenue. The committee recorded a unanimous recommendation to the city council; the city council will take the final vote at a hearing tentatively set for Sept. 23, 2025.

Next steps: The committee’s recommendations will be transmitted to the city council for final action at a public hearing tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025. Members of the public may review the staff report and conditions of approval posted online and contact the project planner for follow‑up questions.