Daly City approves entitlements for 455 Hickey Boulevard redevelopment after public hearing

Daly City’s City Council adopted zoning changes July 22 to allow planning entitlements for a major redevelopment at 455 Hickey Boulevard, approving a general-plan amendment, rezone to a new plan‑development zone and design review after staff presentation, applicant testimony and a brief public hearing.

Staff said the 3.2‑acre project site currently holds a five‑story, 65‑foot office building and a three‑level parking garage. The applicant sought entitlements for two build alternatives: an eight‑story, 166‑foot, roughly 280,000‑square‑foot commercial office building with a three‑level parking structure (about 900 parking spaces) or a five‑story, 118‑foot, roughly 180,000‑square‑foot medical office building with the same parking structure. Staff and the applicant said the entitlements were proposed for both options to provide market flexibility.

Associate Planner Sam Fielding summarized outreach and environmental review, noting the city circulated a CEQA mitigated negative declaration and received three written comments during the 30‑day review, including requests for pedestrian and transit improvements. Fielding described mitigation measures (air‑quality construction controls, nesting bird protections, paleontological and cultural resource monitoring, and noise/vibration best practices) and transportation conditions that include intersection and pedestrian safety improvements and coordination with SamTrans to pursue bus‑shelter improvements where feasible.

Tom Gilman, the project architect, told council that due to current market conditions the owner is likely to secure a tenant before starting construction and that contractors for buildings of this scale commonly use union labor and apprenticeship programs. He said existing small tenants would be relocated when leases expire. Councilmembers pressed the applicant and staff on shadows, traffic, recycling of demolition concrete, parking access, and electric vehicle infrastructure. The project description calls for 900 parking spaces (797 standard, 103 compact, 18 accessible) and 450 electric‑vehicle spaces divided into 90 Level‑2, 90 Level‑1 and 270 EV‑capable stalls; staff said EV wiring can be added later where stalls are EV‑capable.

A representative of Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 testified in support of the project and urged local hiring and apprenticeship opportunities. After public comment, council moved to read the ordinance by title only and enacted the zoning amendment (PD‑8b plan development standards) by roll‑call vote. Councilmembers praised staff outreach and the applicant’s shadow study and design changes that moved the building closer to the commercial corner to reduce impacts on adjacent residential areas.

The ordinance adoption establishes entitlements so the owner may pursue either the taller commercial alternative or the shorter medical alternative depending on market demand. Council asked staff and the applicant to continue coordination on transportation, transit stops and local hiring as project design advances.