Developers pitch two-part plan for long-vacant 4 Corners site; residents push for more retail and onsite inclusionary units

Developers seeking to build on the long-empty parcel at University Avenue and Bay Road presented two preliminary applications on Tuesday: a mixed‑use rental project and a connected townhome subdivision.

City staff explained the applications are being submitted under SB 330 timing protections and will require an affordable-housing compliance plan if the applicant seeks alternative compliance or concessions. Christopher Dalcomo, the city’s contracted senior planner, said the mixed-use pre-application shows a six‑story market-rate building and a separate building proposed for the affordable units; staff noted the proposal invokes state density‑bonus rules and seeks waivers for some ground-floor retail requirements.

Mike Kramer of Sandhill Property Company said the original larger life‑science application was shelved and the team split the site into two projects to address community feedback and changing economics. Kramer said the mixed-use scheme would propose about 200 rental apartments in total, with a 20% inclusionary target or an alternative compliance approach to be negotiated with council. "We’re proposing a compliant inclusionary housing plan with 20% of units as below‑market rate or a city‑council‑approved alternative compliance option," Kramer said.

Public commenters and planning commissioners urged more ground-floor retail to honor the 2013 Ravenswood Business District (RBD) vision for a downtown node, and pushed for better integration of affordable units rather than segregating them into a separate building. Council members asked for clarified affordability levels, phasing and unit mix and requested staff provide planning‑commission minutes and analysis ahead of any formal entitlements.