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Planning commission approves 256‑unit Bayshore Commons development at South Amphlett Boulevard
Summary
The commission unanimously approved Bayshore Commons, a 256‑unit for‑sale development at 1650–1720 South Amphlett Boulevard that includes 15% moderate‑income homes, public park space, tree replacement and multiple objective‑design waivers; staff and the applicant cited AB 130 CEQA exemption and a traffic report that projects a net reduction in daily trips.
San Mateo’s Planning Commission on Feb. 10 voted 5–0 to approve Bayshore Commons, a proposed 256‑unit for‑sale residential community on roughly 17.5 acres at 1650–1720 South Amphlett Boulevard.
Simin Zakhovan, associate planner, told commissioners the proposal would demolish existing office buildings and construct 64 detached single‑family homes and 192 townhome‑style condominiums, with 15% (38 units) deed‑restricted for moderate‑income households. The project includes a 0.4‑acre central park, two dog parks, paseos for pedestrian circulation, public‑realm improvements along Amplett Boulevard and the removal of 169 trees (49 heritage/protected) with approximately 620 new trees proposed to be planted on site.
Developer Andy Beck and architect Lori Moffett Feldberg described the site layout, a mix of unit sizes from about 1,400 square feet to more than 2,200 square feet, and landscape and circulation improvements. Feldberg said the plan converts balconies that would fall within AB 130’s 500‑foot freeway buffer into sunrooms to preserve an indoor‑outdoor feel while keeping eligibility for the CEQA exemption. "We're adding 659 new trees," she said when presenting the landscaping strategy.
Staff and the applicant emphasized transportation analysis and mitigation. Staff said the project’s trip‑generation analysis shows a net reduction of daily vehicle trips relative to the existing office use and recommends targeted sidewalk and crosswalk improvements; applicant materials call for 21 new parallel parking stalls on Amplett and 55 guest parking spaces on site in addition to two‑car garages for each home.
Public comment was mixed. Nearby residents urged restricting egress onto South Grant Street and asked for additional screening and setback mitigation along Leslie Creek to avoid overshadowing existing homes; others supported new housing and connectivity. Commissioners asked detailed questions about phasing, tree replacement, the type of speed‑hump replacement on Grant Street and public access to the central park (staff confirmed the park will be publicly accessible).
Commissioner Schonkle moved to adopt the resolution approving the site plan and architectural review, site development planning application and vesting tentative map and finding the project exempt from CEQA under PRC §21080.66 (AB 130). The motion included staff’s revised Condition 42 requiring replacement of existing speed humps and specified sidewalk and landscape work along South Grant. Commissioner Clafeter seconded. A roll call vote was unanimous, 5–0, and the commission closed the item.
The approval is subject to the conditions in the resolution and will be effective once the council’s appeal period has closed or any administrative appeals are resolved; the project team said it expects to phase construction and sell parcels to builders in sequence.
