Visit the 831 Water Street project page to sign up for future updates review plan sets and other information about the proposed project.
The most prevalent comments and concerns raised by the community during the January 27th meeting were as follows:
- ·neighborhood compatibility - such as height, size, and general architecture,
- the design does not reflect the historic design of the Villa de Branciforte area,
- solar impacts on adjacent residences,
- excessive traffic on already congested surrounding intersections,
- excavation may disturb or uncover historic artifacts,
- the project should be LEED certified,
- general support of an affordable housing development but at a reduced scale,
- separate buildings for low income and “workforce” tenants; and
- concerns with high groundwater at this location that may be overlooked if measured during a drought year.
A number of community members spoke in support of the development, including but not limited to some who support the affordable housing but not the design or massing of the buildings. One resounding request was a desire for the developers to work with the community to develop the site. The city’s next steps are to: evaluate these comments with the applicants, review the project for eligibility to utilize SB 35, complete the Pre-application comment letter to the applicant (which will also be posted to the city’s website), and coordinate a second community meeting. Mike Ferry is the Planner for this project.
