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Council approves adaptive reuse of vacant office at 975 N. D St. into four residential units
Summary
The San Bernardino City Council unanimously approved a development permit to convert a long-vacant commercial office building at 975 North D Street into four residential units under the city's adaptive reuse overlay.
The San Bernardino City Council on July 16 adopted a resolution approving Development Permit D23-19, allowing the conversion of a vacant commercial office building at 975 North D Street into four residential units and the construction of covered parking.
City Planning Associate Mike Rosales presented the item as “development permit type D23-19 for adaptive reuse,” explaining the project would convert an existing roughly 2,430-square-foot office building into four units of about 607 square feet each and add 819 square feet of covered parking. Rosales noted the property sits inside the city’s adaptive reuse overlay created by Ordinance MC-1479, which allows conversion of underused office buildings to housing and became effective May 4, 2018.
The matter drew three public supporters. Jim Mulvihill told the council he “strongly support[s] this application for reuse,” saying the adaptive reuse code change is the right tool to convert surplus commercial space to housing. Keith Benitez, speaking for the San Bernardino County Youth Advisory Board, said affordable housing is “a luxury that has unfortunately become a pipe dream” for many young people and urged approval. Ron Alvarado, a First Ward resident, praised the project’s compatibility with the general plan and said the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval after a public hearing.
Council discussion was brief and favorable. Councilmember Sanchez moved approval and Councilmember Knauss seconded. Councilmember Ortiz asked whether the project would be market-rate or affordable; Rosales replied the applicant indicated the units would be affordable. The council approved the resolution by electronic vote, recorded as unanimous.
The approval implements a Planning Commission recommendation (Resolution No. 2025-024) and relies on the adaptive reuse overlay established in Ordinance MC-1479. The project team and staff noted the proposal includes new landscaping, upgraded energy-efficient windows and doors, EV-ready parking, and an ADA-accessible stall. Traffic staff determined the conversion would not have a significant traffic impact on nearby roadways.
The council’s resolution authorizes staff to finalize permit conditions and proceed with the project approvals; no building permits were issued during the meeting.
Votes at the meeting: Motion to adopt the resolution approving Development Permit D23-19 moved by Councilmember Sanchez and seconded by Councilmember Knauss; outcome: approved (unanimous electronic vote).
