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San Mateo council approves 128‑unit Gateway apartment project at 668 East 3rd Avenue
Summary
The San Mateo City Council voted 5–0 to approve an eight‑story, 128‑unit residential building at 668 East 3rd Avenue, finding it exempt from CEQA under AB 1 30 and conditioning approval on standard entitlements and a tile‑design flexibility requested by the Planning Commission.
The San Mateo City Council on March 2 approved an eight‑story, 128‑unit multifamily building known as the Gateway Project at 668 East 3rd Avenue, adopting the staff recommendation and a condition allowing the applicant to propose alternative decorative tile at the project entry.
The project, presented by Associate Planner Liz Gagliardi and developer representatives from Prometheus, would replace a one‑story commercial building with 128 residential units, including 20 below‑market units (10 very‑low‑income and 10 moderate). The developer proposes 73 parking stalls (one level subterranean plus internal garage), residential amenities and a mix of studio, one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units. Staff said the project is vested to the date of its preliminary SB 330 application (11/13/2024) and qualifies for a CEQA exemption under Assembly Bill 1 30; the project also relies on stacked state density bonus provisions to reach 128 units.
City staff and the developer noted several requested waivers from local objective design standards and zoning (height to eight stories where six would otherwise be allowed, certain setback and stepback standards, facade and massing standards, and a waiver to allow a limited blank wall where otherwise restricted). The project would remove nine trees on site, including four trees designated as protected, and proposes replacement plantings of 16 new trees. Staff estimated approximately $4,200,000 in infrastructure and impact fees tied to the project, subject to final valuation for some fees.
During public comment Darren Clark, a field representative for Carpenters Local 217, urged the city and developer to prioritize responsible contracting, local hiring and state‑certified apprenticeship programs. A nearby resident urged Prometheus to reconsider including retail space in the project to avoid further loss of small downtown businesses; the applicant said retail was assessed as not economically feasible but said it would work with tenants where possible and assist with locating replacement commercial space when feasible.
Council members questioned the developer about parking ratios, EV charging, the distribution of affordable units, design details and the tree replacement plan. The applicant said parking was based on utilization studies for transit‑proximate projects and that the scheme includes some Level‑2 chargers with EV‑ready infrastructure for additional spaces. Staff confirmed the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval with one commissioner recused and offered draft language to allow council review of the tile design.
After discussion, Council moved and approved the resolution finding the project exempt under AB 1 30 and granting the required entitlements with conditions, including language that allows staff and the council to review alternative tile options at the entry. The motion carried on a 5–0 roll call vote. The council closed the item and thanked presenters and members of the public for their comments.
The project will next proceed to the final conditions and working drawings phases, and staff will follow up on implementation details noted in the council motion.
