Commission recommends approval of 138-unit planned development at Foothill and Macy

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a comprehensive application that would rezone and redevelop roughly 15.71 acres at the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Macy Street into a 138-lot planned unit development (PUD) of single-family homes.

Planner presentation: Senior Planner summarized the multi-part application, which included a General Plan amendment (24-01) to change the land-use designation from Commercial to Medium-Density Residential, a zoning map amendment to Residential Medium, tentative tract map 20695 to subdivide into 138 lots, and Development Permit P24-04 for site and architectural review. The project proposes clustered motor-court-style lots with private yards, six distinct floor plans (3'5 bedrooms, 2.5'3 bathrooms up to 5 bedrooms/3 baths), lot sizes roughly 2,400'4,100 sq ft, and unit footprints between 2,325 and 3,076 sq ft. The design palette includes three architectural styles (farmhouse, Spanish and prairie) and shared amenities: a dog park, tot lot, barbecues, picnic areas and paseos. The project would construct new public streets, curb, gutter, sidewalks and street lighting and provide 59 guest parking spaces in addition to private garages. The applicant and civil team are coordinating with Caltrans and city public-works staff on Foothill Boulevard frontage improvements and utility work tied to a larger Caltrans corridor upgrade.

Environmental and conditions: Staff recommended the commission forward a Mitigated Negative Declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting program to the Mayor and City Council and approve the land-use, zoning and subdivision entitlements with conditions. Staff noted coordination challenges with Caltrans over timing and frontage improvements; the city and the applicant proposed bonding and phasing conditions so public improvements can occur if Caltrans's schedule or design differs.

Public comment and commission action: Staff said one adjacent property owner called in in support. The commission approved staff's recommendation by unanimous roll call, including forwarding the MND and entitlements to City Council for final action. Commissioners asked for clarification on utilities and project timing; staff and the applicant confirmed some utilities exist but that Caltrans's Foothill Boulevard project requires coordination; the applicant agreed to conditions and bonding for fronting improvements when necessary.

Why it matters: The project adds market-rate single-family homes (for sale) to a corridor targeted for housing; it triggers a major land-use change from commercial to residential and requires significant coordination with Caltrans for street and utility work along Foothill Boulevard.