Planning commission approves Pulte Link townhomes with added disclosure requirements

Fremont’s Planning Commission on June 25 approved Pulte’s Link townhomes at 45846 Warm Springs Boulevard, a 14‑building, 140‑unit condominium development that includes 21 on‑site affordable units and a suite of hazard mitigations designed for the site’s industrial adjacency. The commission voted 6–1 to approve the project, adding an explicit condition that the project’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) include clear, ongoing disclosure and emergency‑action requirements for future residents.

The project planner, Mark Cleveland, told commissioners the site is a 4.67‑acre parcel in the Warm Springs Innovation South Fremont area and proposed 14 residential buildings, a 4,700‑square‑foot public plaza, and about 10,000 square feet of common open space. Cleveland said the applicant is seeking a density bonus that permits concessions and waivers, and that the project would provide roughly 283 parking spaces including tandem garages and 15 outdoor guest stalls.

Cleveland said the applicant submitted a site‑specific risk assessment prepared by Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions that Fremont Fire reviewed and found sufficient. “The risk assessment identified measures to address potential off‑site hazardous‑materials impacts,” Cleveland said, listing measures adopted by the applicant including an emergency action plan, manual air‑intake shutdowns, non‑operable east‑facing windows, enhanced masonry walls, fireproof construction and acid‑gas sensors; the plan also calls for increased setbacks where the buildings abut large hazardous‑materials users.

Fremont’s Hazardous Materials Program Manager described the mitigation approach as a mix of administrative and engineering controls, including training and periodic reviews: “There’s a written emergency response plan that will be used to educate residents,” the manager said, explaining that monitoring on rooftop intakes and detection equipment will be required for potential toxic releases. He added the department has worked with Ramboll on the modeling used to define worst‑case and alternative scenarios.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on noise, long‑term effectiveness of mitigations and disclosure to future residents. Commissioner Yee asked whether sound‑attenuation measures would address footfall and commercial activity adjacent to the site; an applicant representative said underlayment and acoustic construction will exceed code requirements and that an acoustic memo will be required at the building‑permit stage to confirm compliance. On resident notification, staff and fire officials said emergency‑action language and review authority will be recorded in the CC&Rs and subject to periodic fire‑marshal review.

Brett Walsh, Pulte’s development manager, described the design and project amenities, and said the project will be all‑electric with rooftop solar, EV receptacles in garages and high‑efficiency systems. “Affordable housing is a priority,” Walsh said; he added the 21 on‑site affordable units are distributed across building types and unit sizes.

Vice Chair Ezzy moved to approve the project as recommended but with an explicit CC&R condition requiring clearer disclosures and recorded emergency‑action materials; Commissioner Basra seconded. The motion passed 6–1. Staff noted the commission’s action is final unless appealed to the City Council within 10 calendar days.

What happens next: Pulte must finalize construction drawings, submit building permits including an acoustic memo at permit review, and record CC&Rs with the emergency‑action plan subject to fire‑marshal review and periodic updates. The staff report and findings supporting the CEQA exemption and entitlements remain part of the administrative record.