The San Rafael Planning Commission unanimously approved a major environmental and design review permit for an 8‑story mixed‑use project at 1033 A Street (referred to in staff materials as "900 A Street") at its Nov. 18 meeting.

Staff said the project replaces a 4,400 square‑foot commercial building with an eight‑story building containing 131 residential units and about 4,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space. The base project was described as 110 units with a 20% density bonus that yields approximately 22 bonus units; the applicant proposes 11 deed‑restricted low‑income units within the total unit count. Proposed parking was summarized as 107 vehicle spaces and 109 bicycle spaces, with options to add park‑lift systems that could increase vehicle capacity by roughly 40 additional stacked spaces.

Applicant Tom Monahan and architect Isaiah Stackhouse presented the design, noting a strong three‑part base‑middle‑top composition, podium landscaping and ground‑floor corner retail intended for active use. The architect said the upper levels are set back to reduce perceived height and that the project follows the downtown precise plan design guidelines. Monahan described market rent ranges for context, noting that the applicant provided a rough rent estimate for the project: "a one‑bedroom in that range is $2,100 to $2,800 a month; two‑bedrooms $2,300 to $3,000," as he summarized for commissioners.

Commissioner questions covered accessibility and ADA compliance (staff and applicant confirmed the building will meet Chapter 11A accessibility standards and that multiple compliance approaches are possible), bicycle parking and the interaction of bike storage with the vehicle parking layout, and the presence of kitchen facilities within amenity lounges. Staff reiterated that the project was reviewed under a Class 32 CEQA infill exemption and that the San Rafael Sanitation District provided a preliminary will‑serve letter; more detailed utility and fire reviews will occur at the building permit stage.

After deliberation commissioners praised the project’s proportion and streetscape treatments and moved to adopt a resolution approving the project subject to the modified conditions of approval; the motion passed unanimously on roll call. The approval includes the standard suite of permit conditions: construction management, landscaping/tree replacement, compliance with CalGreen building standards, finalization of affordable‑housing agreements and verification of utility and fire‑safety conditions at permit review.

With the vote the commission closed the hearing on 900 A Street. The project will next proceed to building permits and required encroachment and construction management approvals before ground‑breaking.