On Wed., Feb. 10, a few neighbors gathered together at Luceti’s Restaurant to hear a presentation hosted by John M Ward & Associates regarding the Hillsdale Terraces Development. The proposed 5 story building, to be located between 27th and 28th Avenue on El Camino, had been updated with feedback from their previous 2014 proposal and with the latest city zoning codes.
The take away was that the city planning guidelines are encouraging higher density residency near transit locations. This particular development is a product of three general city plans;
- El Camino Master Plan (initiated in 2001),
- San Mateo Rail Corridor Plan (initiated in 2003) and the
- Hillsdale Station Area Plan (initiated in 2011).
Although the design of the building may appear pleasing, the occupancy density and location threatens to increase gridlock on the El Camino, strains neighboring streets with overflow traffic, exacerbates parking issues and redefines the El Camino with towering city scape.
I think we need help the city of San Mateo re-examine their zoning limits especially in light of the gridlock on the state owned highway El Camino. It is also interesting that the San Mateo's TOD (Transportation-Oriented Development) initiative invites aggressive growth. However, we see the new Bay Meadows project doesn't try to maximize their residential density. Starting from scratch The Bay Meadows neighborhood housing does not exceed 3 stories. Why should an existing layout west of El Camino be expected to support even higher occupancy? The Hillsdale Terraces are squeezing 74 residential units within a 5 story, 1 acre property.
In a neighborhood that already struggles with roads that barely support 2 way traffic, does it makes sense to stress the current infrastructure? Are we to expect the neighborhood between Alameda and El Camino to be redeveloped into skyscraper real estate?
The public hearing for this development will be around March. Where do you stand?
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