“I think this is a positive step for families with children, and it’s always a good thing,” Mallory said.

The affordable housing and downtown owned parking garage project, now known as Kiku Crossing, will redevelop two sites into an affordable, seven-story multi-family residential building at 480 E. Fourth Ave. and a private parking garage. and separate audience at five levels. on 400 E. Fifth Ave. The development will also have a pedestrian bridge connecting the residential building that will be constructed. The city approved the original site plan in 2020, but the applicant, MidPen Housing, identified site constraints as a result of the approval process which required design changes for the building’s setbacks, square footage. of floor and floor plan program, exterior elevation design, landscaping and open spaces. residential building design.

MidPen reduced the total floor area of ​​the residential building from 234,350 square feet to 211,970 square feet. The building is also removed from property lines on all four sides to allow additional sidewalk space, a deeper buffer zone of the landscape from rail tracks, accommodate proposed underground services, and avoid high voltage overhead power lines. There are now more two bedroom units for large families and an increased number of ADA units. Other changes were made to the exterior design and landscaping of the building. The height of the building would remain the same, as would the 225 units.

However, the number of two-bedroom units would increase from 53 to 59 and the number of one-bedroom units from 48 to 41 would also be increased. Studios would also drop from 65 to 66. The average housing size would also decrease by about 820 square feet to 680 square feet, according to city staff. The average area of ​​a studio will be 380 square feet. The one bedroom unit will be 529 square feet, the two bedroom unit will be 784 square feet and the three bedroom unit will be 1,029 square feet.

The site plan and the modification of the architectural review will be presented to City Council on May 17 for formal review. Phillip Brennan, an associate planner at San Mateo, said the project meets staff requests and conditions for approval.

“Staff are of the opinion that the proposed changes are consistent with the originally approved design intent and remain in compliance with all required findings, policies and code requirements,” said Brennan.

Mollie Naber, of MidPen Housing, said she would submit building permits in June and had secured county and state funding for the project.

Sheraden Nicholau, regional director of the Bay Area Office of the State Council for Developmental Disabilities, supported the recommendation because it supports low-income families and includes eight apartments with preferences for people with developmental disabilities. Nicholau said San Mateo is home to more than 1,600 residents with developmental disabilities and that inclusion would help those residents.

“The lack of affordable housing is the biggest barrier to achieving the goal of independent living for so many people with developmental disabilities,” said Nicholau.

Resident Laurie Watanuki requested speed bumps and adequate lighting in the area, given its proximity to the city center.

“We would like to make sure we have the right lighting and the right traffic calming. [options] since it is the natural route to the city center, ”she said.

Some public comments expressed concerns about trees being cut for development and called for further consideration of what this would mean for sustainability in the region.