Council OKs 810 Mission Avenue Mixed‑Use Project; Applicant Commits to 15% Affordable Units Across OTC/810 Package

The council approved a separate mixed‑use project at 810 Mission Avenue — a 7‑story development of about 206 apartments, five live/work units and ground‑floor commercial space — with a vesting tentative map and density bonus on Nov. 19. Darlene Nacandro presented staff’s recommendation and noted the project would reserve 10% low‑income and 5% moderate‑income units (15% total), consistent with related downtown negotiations and the SB 330/SC‑related timeline the applicant used to lock in fee standards.

The applicant’s team (Arlene Tendeck and Toll Brothers’ Michael McCann) described design elements, a modified unbundled parking approach (one parking space per unit included, additional parking charged separately), and willingness to remove newly proposed palm trees from the plan and to work with staff on parkway and paving details. Staff said the project would reconstruct project frontages with new curb, gutter, parkway and sidewalk; council adopted conditions requiring appropriate paving patterns and protections for existing landscaping where feasible.

Public comment included support for transit‑oriented housing, concerns about palm and canopy‑tree removal and a request for more study on air‑quality impacts. SAFER (an environmental group) urged additional environmental review on air quality and formaldehyde risk; staff responded that CEQA categorical exemption/analysis and project design decisions were consistent with applicable guidelines. After deliberation and amendments to conditions on paving and tree protection, the council approved the project 5–0.