Hayward Planning Commission approves 14-unit condominium subdivision at 1289 Russell Way

The Hayward City Planning Commission on Oct. 23 approved a vesting tentative tract map to subdivide a previously approved 14-unit multifamily building into condominiums at 1289 Russell Way, and found the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines §15332.

Senior Planner Steve Kowalski presented the application, saying the 0.15-acre property had an approved site plan and density bonus in 2023 for a three-story, 14-unit building and that the current action before the commission was limited to the tentative condominium subdivision map (tract no. 8762). Kowalski said the prior approval included one for-sale unit affordable to very-low-income households and that, under state and city density-bonus laws, the applicant used a concession to reduce required parking from 17 spaces to seven.

Kowalski said the approved building design features a ground-floor, seven-space parking garage, a separate elevator lobby inside the garage, bike parking, and 14 residential units on the two upper floors; unit sizes range from about 484 to 560 square feet. He said no physical changes to the previously approved plans were proposed with the tentative map, and staff recommended approval subject to findings and standard conditions.

Applicant Horacio Wolcott, owner of W R, LLC, who was present with the design team, told the commission the units…