Planning commission recommends council approve 75-unit affordable apartment project after discussion of school preference, parking and impact fees

The Milpitas Planning Commission on a voice vote recommended that the City Council approve a site development permit amendment (SA24-0005) and a density bonus permit (DB204-0002) for a proposed 75-unit affordable apartment building, after discussing a proposed local preference for Milpitas Unified School District employees, parking counts and impact fee calculations.

The project team, represented by Jim Sullivan of Pulte Homes, said Pulte acquired the property after the council’s earlier approval of a prior plan and that the current design, developed with nonprofit Waterford Property Company and architect KTGY, reduces building height from six stories to five and increases on-site recreational/open space to about 25% of the site. “Pulte Homes acquired the entire property as Michael had mentioned shortly after the city council had approved it,” Sullivan said.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff about the status and form of a proposed agreement with Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD). Planning staff and the city attorney said the draft condition of approval (condition 26) directs the developer to work with the city attorney’s office to include language in the affordable housing agreement that would benefit qualified MUSD employees, but that any separate private agreement…