Council hears Mary Avenue Villas plan for 40 affordable units for adults with developmental disabilities; asks for parking and legal memos

Charities Housing and partners presented Mary Avenue Villas — a proposed 40-unit, 100%-affordable housing development on a narrow, city-owned parcel carved from the Mary Avenue right-of-way — at a July 15 study session. The proposal would provide 19 units targeted to extremely low-income adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and 21 other affordable units, plus on-site supportive services coordinated by Housing Choices and Catholic Charities.

Why it matters: The site is city-owned and was placed in the housing-element portfolio because it can deliver deeply affordable units that are otherwise scarce in Cupertino. The parcel geometry and proximity to highways, parkland and existing development raise local concerns about parking, traffic, noise and legal and financial implications for the city.

Project summary and timeline

Charities Housing described the site design as two low-rise buildings spread along a long, narrow lot with a central parking court. The planned unit mix is 3 studios, 22 one-bedroom units and 14 two-bedroom units plus one three-bedroom manager unit; all units would be accessible and the buildings served by elevators. On-site services would be provided by Housing Choices (supportive-services coordination), Catholic Charities (case coordination) and West Valley Community Services (food and other supports). The team said a federal low-income housing tax credit application…