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Council approves 24‑unit townhome project on Route 66 amid parking and design questions
Summary
The City Council approved a three‑story, 24‑unit townhome project at 363 W. Route 66 after hearings where the developer committed to HOA parking enforcement and inclusion of three moderate‑income units; neighbors raised concerns about spillover parking and requested CC&R language to prevent garage storage and unauthorized use of adjacent lots.
The City Council voted 5‑0 to approve a tentative tract map and development plan for a 24‑unit townhome development at 363 West Route 66 proposed by Olsen Company.
Senior planner Yolani Siva described the project: four buildings of six units each, two‑car garages per unit, site amenities and landscaping, three units reserved for purchase by moderate‑income qualified buyers, and requests for several concessions and waivers (reduced setbacks, garage dimensions and private open‑space standards) under state housing law. Staff noted the project site is inside the Metro overlay and within a half‑mile of a major transit stop; the applicant is providing 49 on‑site parking spaces (48 garage spaces plus one ADA guest space) despite SB 291/AB 2097 changes that can reduce minimum parking requirements near transit.
Brian Cunningham of Olsen Company described outreach (a December 2024 meeting at a neighboring mobile home park) and said the design uses a Spanish‑colonial aesthetic with pedestrian gates, a gated amenity courtyard, bicycle parking and a tree‑lined frontage. He said Olsen’s ‘‘champion’’ homeowner‑support program attends quarterly HOA meetings as a post‑sale advisory resource.
Adjacent property owner Harrison Smalley spoke during public comment in favor of replacing a long‑vacant blighted parcel but pressed the developer and council for stronger CC&R language to prevent garage storage (which he said can create spillover parking on adjacent commercial lots) and to make HOA enforcement explicit. Olsen representatives told the council they would include CC&R language and disclosures that prohibit parking on adjacent private property and that they will enforce garage parking through the HOA.
Council deliberations addressed parking enforcement, long‑term quality and aesthetics. Several members pressed Olsen to consider front‑setback treatments, roof eaves and relocating visible mechanical equipment to reduce curbside visibility. Olsen said they had explored alternate mechanical locations but could not make changes without affecting viability; the developer committed to review follow‑up refinements where feasible. Councilmembers also noted the project advances the city’s regional housing obligations while transforming a persistently vacant property.
Action: Councilmember Davis moved to approve the tentative tract map and development plan; the motion passed 5‑0. Staff will monitor CC&R drafting and ensure the preserved veteran plaque onsite is returned as recommended by the Planning Commission.
