Cotati Council approves 78-unit Redwood Row mixed‑use development with conditions

The Cotati City Council on Tuesday approved a proposal to build a 78‑unit mixed‑use development called Redwood Row on a 10.62‑acre vacant site adjacent to Lowe’s near State Route 116, adopting the project’s preliminary design review, tree‑removal permit, parkland dedication and a vesting tentative map by a 5‑0 roll‑call vote.

The project, led by City Ventures, would include 34 townhouse‑style for‑sale units (with up to 33 optional accessory dwelling units), a 44‑unit apartment building proposed as deed‑restricted affordable rental housing, about 10,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space facing Gravenstein Highway (Highway 116), and roughly 1 acre of parkland across two public parks, including a dog park and a playground area.

The council approved the project after roughly four hours of staff and applicant presentations, technical questions from members and public testimony for and against the development. Planning staff described the project’s entitlements, environmental review and density‑bonus calculations; the applicant presented architectural renderings and amenity plans; and council members pressed the team on traffic access, affordable housing guarantees, tree protection and long‑term maintenance of the proposed public‑access parks.

Why it matters: Redwood Row is sited in an area the city has long targeted for infill development and is expected to add a substantial number of housing units in Cotati, including a larger share of restricted‑rent units than the city’s inclusionary obligation requires. The project is tied to the city’s Highway 116 safety and West Cotati Avenue realignment plans, and council members flagged the timing of those roadway improvements as a safety concern for vehicles entering and exiting the site prior to the full highway project.

Project details and approvals • Units and mix: Staff said the site is planned for 78 units: 34 townhouse‑style condos (for sale) and a separate 44‑unit apartment building proposed as the site’s affordable rental component. Under the state density‑bonus rules and the city code in…