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Planning commission backs 142-unit townhouse project at 1400 Coleman Avenue, including 29 affordable units
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council approval of a general plan amendment, rezoning, mitigated negative declaration and vesting tentative map to allow development of 142 townhouses at 1400 Coleman Avenue; staff said the project includes 29 affordable units and environmental mitigations under CEQA.
The Santa Clara Planning Commission on Aug. 13 voted to recommend City Council approval of a suite of approvals needed for a 142‑unit townhouse development at 1400 Coleman Avenue, including a mitigated negative declaration, a general plan amendment, rezoning to R-4 high-density residential and a vesting tentative subdivision map for condominium purposes.
Staff said the 3.8-acre site is currently commercial/regional and occupied by office and light industrial buildings. The applicant proposes 142 for‑sale townhomes in four‑story buildings with a maximum height of 50 feet, structured parking and 0.45 acre of common open space. Staff reported the project provides 235 parking spaces (194 enclosed garage spaces and 40 surface spaces) and 142 long‑term bike parking spaces, and includes an all‑electric design and a draft transportation‑demand management plan that aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled by 20 percent.
The project proposes 20 percent of units as affordable (29 units total, including very low‑income and low/moderate mixes). Staff said tree removal (59 trees) will be offset by planting 64 new trees with in‑lieu fees used to meet replacement ratios where necessary. Because the project site is within the airport influence area and station‑area focus plan, staff noted required referrals and conditions, including an Airport Land Use Commission review and an FAA/airport coordination condition.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about environmental comments and tribal consultation. Tyler Rogers of environmental consultant David J. Powers explained the project’s Phase I environmental site assessment did not identify on‑site hazardous materials concerns, that a nearby off‑site site had been remediated, and that a soil management plan (SMP) was included as mitigation to address any historic agricultural pesticide residues. Staff also described the project’s response to a comment from the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and said consultation obligations were met for tribes identified by the NAHC and that requests made after statutory comment windows were handled through the CEQA response process.
The commission approved four separate recommendations: adopt the mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting program; recommend adoption of the general plan amendment changing land use to Santa Clara Station high‑density residential; recommend rezoning from Commercial Regional to R‑4 High‑Density Residential; and recommend approval of the vesting tentative subdivision map for condominium purposes. Motions were moved and seconded and passed on voice votes. The staff report and conditions will be forwarded to the council for final action.
The applicant, City Ventures, presented design concepts and said the project emphasizes pedestrian connections, an 8‑foot detached sidewalk and landscaping along Coleman Avenue, consolidated courtyards, a community garden and dog run. Pamela Salasneeding, vice president at City Ventures, described the project as transit‑oriented infill within a half‑mile of the Santa Clara transit center and Caltrain.
