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Commission approves SB6 conversion of vacant 1731 Research Drive to residential units
Summary
The commission approved a developer request to convert a mostly vacant commercial building at 1731 Research Drive into 23 units, including six affordable units, under SB6 (Gov. Code §65852.24). Staff said HCD issued a technical letter supporting the project's SB6 eligibility.
The Social Services Commission voted June 1 to approve a proposal to convert a mostly vacant commercial building at 1731 Research Drive into 23 residential units, including six affordable apartments, under the state’s SB6 conversion rules.
Director Bailey described the Debbie Plaza proposal as a conversion of a building formerly leased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture into a 23‑unit residential building with six affordable units (three very low income and three low income). "This project is being approved under SB6," Bailey said, noting staff recommended the commission approve the request.
Principal Planner Darra Dunworth explained the legal and review history: city staff and the city attorney initially questioned whether the state law applied to this existing building, but the applicant appealed to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. "We received a technical letter from HCD saying that they did not concur with the city attorney's opinion," Dunworth said, and staff then proceeded with the SB6 eligibility analysis under Government Code section 65852.24 (the Middle Class Housing Act of 2022).
Consultant Sukjit Tuni Singh and the property owner (Mr. Ramsa) described a multi‑year entitlement process, the end of the USDA lease, a prolonged vacancy and an appeal to state housing authorities that ultimately led to the present request. The owner said the building has been vacant for several years and that conversion would return it to productive use.
Commissioners expressed support for the conversion as a route to add housing and noted the project exceeds the city’s current inclusionary requirement. One commissioner said the project "greatly exceeds our current inclusionary zoning requirements" and observed the conversion brings density to an area with existing apartments and commercial uses.
A motion to approve the project under SB6 was made, seconded and passed by voice vote.
Staff said the project will move forward with standard next steps for permitting and compliance; the developer and staff will coordinate on required permits and implementation.
