Council Approves Permit for 70 Rowhouses on E. Evelyn Avenue

The Mountain View City Council Tuesday approved a conditional permit for the development of 70 units at 625 to 659 E. Evelyn Avenue.

These new three bedroom, three and half bath rowhouses will continue the cohesive architectural Spanish design of the current Phase One Shea Homes Mondrian Project for a total of 220 units across the two lots.

Zoned for single-, two- and multiple family homes, the 3.69 acre project will consist of a subdivision of 12 standalone condominiums further divided into rowhouses.

Private streets will connect both projects, with an additional 38 parking spots for guests in Phase Two. A little more than 13,500 sq. ft. of open space will also be created for residents; seven of the total 31 trees that will be removed are heritage trees.

As a condition for the approval, however, the project will lose two parking spots because city staff felt the location near the entrance to the community would make it difficult for cars to back out.

"That's not a deal-killer," said Dave Best, Shea Homes' community development manager, since Phase Two already had more parking than Phase One. "But having more parking was the number one concern of existing residents."

Councilwoman Laura Macias noted that the related adjacent project to the west, Phase One, had been approved in 2006, but stopped until it was resumed years later. She expressed concern that this could happen with Phase Two.

Best explained that due to the downturn in the economy, the developer—which had several projects going at once—prioritized those that already had homeowners moved in.

"I'd like to be assured that we are a high priority," Macias replied.

While the project had a clear majority of support, Councilman Jac Siegel inquired whether the city could purchase seven of the rowhouses, with park-in-lieu funds, and expand the open space to make a public park. He suggested that the community will likely have a lot of children, and pedestrian access to other parks was more difficult. He expressed concern that since land was scarce in Mountain View, money will pile up and won't be used.

City Attorney Jannie Quinn explained that it would be possible. Though the developer had to agree to it, Zoning Administrator Peter Gilli added that a wrench in the suggestion was that the public park did not lie on a main street. It was on a private street. Shea Homes representative Best noted the lack of public parking.

Siegel, Macias, and Councilwomen Margaret Abe-Koga and Ronit Bryant encouraged that in the future the council should more carefully consider the approval of residential projects in isolated areas of the city.

Councilwoman Laura Macias abstained from the 6-0-1 vote.

Don't miss a thing in Mountain View!

Follow on Twitter |  Like us on Facebook  |  Get the daily newsletter | Post to our calendar | Share an announcement