Frequently Asked Questions

At the July 9 meeting, the Mayor made two motions: to approve the environmental determination for the project, and to approve the architectural review permit. Only three Council members were able to vote because two members announced their recusal from voting on the project, given the proximity of property they own to the site. In such cases, State law (Government Code §3696) requires that all three Council members vote in favor of the project. Both motions did not pass by a 2 to 1 vote.

Votes

Support

• Mayor Rico Medina
• Laura Davis

Deny

• Marty Medina

Recused

• Vice Mayor Irene O'Connell
• Michael Salazar

The "Downtown and Transit Corridors Economic Enhancement Initiative" Proposal - Measure N ballot question was voted and passed by 68.2% of San Bruno voters during the November 4, 2014 election. Besides allowing for the development of 42 residential parcels exceeding the density permitted in 1974 and above-ground multi-story parking garages, the approval of Measure N allowed for the maximum permitted heights and stories in the Transit Corridors Plan (TCP) area.

Specifically related to this Project site, Measure N allowed maximum building heights to increase 20 feet along El Camino Real, 15 feet along San Bruno Avenue, 5 feet along San Mateo Avenue, and 40 feet in the Caltrain Station area. The Transit Corridors Plan and Measure N ballot map clearly show the project site as increasing in height by 20 feet and two stories.

No. In fact, there are 4 other developments in San Bruno that are larger than the proposed Mills Park Center Development Project:

• Shelter Creek has 1,287 housing units (701 Shelter Creek Lane)
• The Crossing has 1,063 housing units (1100 to 1051 National Avenue and 1099 Admiral Court)
• Peninsula Place has 872 housing units (1125 and 1126 Cherry Avenue)
• Crystal Springs Terrace has 430 housing units (2000 Crystal Springs Road)

At the July 9 City Council meeting, the Developer agreed to reduce the proposed number of dwelling units by 16 units, from 425 to 409 units.

A project-specific traffic study was prepared for the project, and reviewed by City staff. The traffic study included an evaluation of AM and PM traffic conditions at 19 intersections near the project site, as well as six nearby freeway segments and six freeway ramps, and concluded that the proposed project would not result in any new or substantially more severe significant environmental effects, including traffic impacts, than those analyzed in the TCP Environmental Impact Report. No project-specific mitigation is required. Additionally, the traffic study concluded that the project would not cause significant increases in traffic volumes (i.e., one % or more of freeway capacity) on any of the study freeway segments.

The traffic study also determined that the project would provide both adequate site access and adequate parking with three driveways accessing the garage in Building A (two on El Camino Real and one on White Way), and two driveways accessing the garage in Building B (one on El Camino Real and one on Kains Avenue).The project would be required to implement project-specific Transportation Demand Management measures. These measures are a combination of services, incentives, facilities, and actions that reduce single-occupant vehicle (SOV) trips to help relieve traffic congestion, parking demand, and air pollution problems. For example, the project would include:

• A total of 231 long term bicycle parking spaces and 47 short term bicycle parking spaces
• High-bandwidth internet connections to facilitate telecommuting
• 2 shower/changing rooms for employees who commute by bicycle or walking
• A one-time initial transit subsidy in the form of a Clipper Card loaded with a one-month pass for SamTrans and BART/or Caltrain

The proposed plan included:

• Realigning and widening Kains Avenue to improve access and for fire code requirements;
• Installing a new signal light at the intersection of Kains Avenue and El Camino Real to improve access and safety into and out of the site and for pedestrians crossing El Camino Real;
• Extension of the right turn lane from east-bound San Bruno Avenue onto south-bound El Camino Real (pending CalTrans final approval); and,
• Installing a pedestrian visual and audible warning system that is triggered when vehicles exit the parking garages.

There are proposed areas for loading zones and pull-outs adjacent to the curb around the perimeter of the site as to not block traffic lanes or take up on-street parking spaces.

Based on community feedback, the City Council recently revised to increase multi-family parking requirements within the Transit Corridors Plan (TCP) area. The proposed project exceeds the new TCP parking standards by providing an additional 72 parking stalls above the policy requirement.

The following is a summary of proposed parking in the Mills Park Center Development Project and how it will exceed the new revised TCP standards:

• Building A Residential: 254 Total Stalls Required (236 Resident and 18 Guest Stalls) - 265 Provided (excess of 11 stalls). Residential parking spaces would be accessed from White Way
• Building A Commercial: 168 Total Stalls Required (4 stalls: 1,000 SF) - 170 Provided (excess of 2 stalls). Commercial parking spaces would be accessed from El Camino Real
• Building B Residential: 335 Total Stalls Required (311 Resident and 24 Guest Stalls) - 376 Provided (excess of 41 stalls). Residential parking would be accessed from El Camino Real with a second residential garage entrance on Kains Avenue
• Building B Commercial: 40 spaces required (10 stalls: 1,000 SF) - 68 Provided (excess of 18 stalls). Retail parking would be accessed from El Camino Real

The City required the Project to have a residential and commercial parking management plan:

• Prohibit the property owners from charging a separate fee for parking stalls
• All residential and commercial parking spaces shall be designated and signed for the exclusive use of each use with private enforcement by management
• Wayfinding and parking garage signage required to ensure stalls are easily found from public streets
• Other measures as required by City to minimize potential for spillover parking on adjacent residential streets

The proposed Project would add public parking on Linden Avenue for City library or municipal center parking.

The proposed project includes two mixed-use buildings with a total of 425 condominium dwelling units, an approximately 41,890 square foot high-end grocery store, and 4,000 square feet of commercial space. The proposed buildings range in height from one to five stories with the tallest portions at the maximum of 70 feet in height, with many building portions below this maximum.

The tallest portions of the buildings would be located along the major corridor streets of El Camino Real and San Bruno Avenue W, transitioning to a one- to three-story building along both White Way and Linden Avenues to address the abutting low-density residential neighborhood to the west.

Consistent with the Transit Corridors Plan (TCP), specific items are allowed to exceed the 70-foot maximum height, up to an additional 10 feet. These items include elevator and mechanical equipment enclosures, and parapets to screen the equipment. The buildings are divided into smaller components with articulated building setbacks and stepbacks. The two buildings would be separated by Kains Avenue.

Camino Plaza and White Way are existing streets that are owned in fee title by the two existing property owners (only public easements are owned by the City).

A portion of the southern portion of White Way and the Camino Plaza right-of-way would both be abandoned. A new dedication for a White Way connection to El Camino Real and a new dedication to widen White Way at San Bruno Avenue (west) for access to the new adjacent medical office building would be provided. Additional public right-of-way would be dedicated to create a right hand turning lane at the intersection of San Bruno Avenue (west) and El Camino Real.

The proposed project was critical in helping San Bruno meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) assigned by the State of California in the Housing Element. The current housing element period covers 8 years from 2015 through 2023. During this period, San Bruno is allocated to issue permits for the construction of 1,155 new housing units. To date, the City has issued permits for the construction of only 119 housing units, leaving a balance of 1,036 housing units to be produced by 2023. Additionally, the City has a remaining RHNA goal of 358 "very low" income units, 136 "low" income units, and 163 "moderate" income units. To date, since no "very low" income units have been issued building permits, and only 25 "low" and 42 "moderate" income units have been issued permits (primarily ADUs), there is a significant need for additional housing in the City, especially at the very low and low income levels.

Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Progress

Permits Issued by the City of San Bruno from 2015 to 2018 plus the Proposed Mills Park Project:

The Property Owner has the ability to decide if they will rent or sell the units as condominiums. The Development Agreement is structured such that the Property Owner must elect to pay an additional $5M public benefit payment prior to initial occupancy, if they want the ability to sell the units as condominiums in the future. Staff anticipates the Property Owner to elect this option, even if they decide to rent the units initially. The prices for the non-affordable units will be based on market rate pricing.

Contact information for each member of the City Council can be found on the Elected Officials page.