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San Rafael staff reports multiple large housing projects moving from entitlement to demolition and phased permitting
Summary
City staff told the Economic Development Subcommittee that several major residential projects have advanced (including demolition at two sites), with phased permitting and utility coordination underway; one planning approval has an active appeal that could reach the city council in early 2026.
Assistant director Greg Minor and staff updated the subcommittee on an active development pipeline that includes recent planning approvals, demolition on several sites and a set of construction-management and permitting practices intended to limit neighborhood impacts.
Minor said the planning commission approved a 14-unit residential development in Loch Lomond and cited two larger approvals from the prior meeting: a proposed 13-story development at 1235 35th Avenue (about 188 units) and an 8-story project at 900 A Street (about 131 units). He noted the 900 A Street decision has an appeal from a property owner and that appeal could come before the city council in early 2026 if not withdrawn.
Staff described site demolition at locations including 930 Erwin and 703 3rd Street, and explained the use of phased building permits for complex superstructure projects. Micah Hinkle added that phased permits help accelerate review in stages for different construction elements while acknowledging complexity extends permit timelines. Staff emphasized the need for upfront construction-management plans and coordination with utilities (PG&E was mentioned) to reduce neighborhood disruption.
Minor also described recent city property acquisitions: one site purchased in March will serve as an interim shelter for unsheltered people in 2026 and is planned as a long-term affordable housing development with a minimum of 80 units; the city also closed on 620 Canal Street to be developed as a park and to facilitate a potential bicycle/pedestrian bridge connection between Canal and Montecito neighborhoods.
Committee members asked about the public process and how state density-bonus and objective design standards limit local discretion; staff advised the public to use the city’s major-projects web page to track hearings and offered to notify interested parties of planning-commission agendas.
