Planners approve housing proposal
The San Anselmo Planning Commission has approved a proposal to build six duplexes and six single-family homes near the Hub on a lot that already includes a 10-apartment building.
The plan calls for 28 residences on the 1.7-acre property at 600 Red Hill Ave., including the existing apartments and the 18 new homes. Each of the residences will be offered as rentals.
The commission voted unanimously on Monday to approve the proposal, submitted by property owner Robert Nobili and architect Jerry Frate.
Nobili has agreed to reserve two of the residences in the existing apartment complex for very-low-income tenants. In Marin County, a one-person household with annual income up to $60,900 is considered “very-low income.” Monthly rent would be set at $1,523 for a tenant at that income level, according to the latest figures from the state Department of Housing and Community Development.
Designating two affordable apartments allows the developer to build seven more apartments than the town zoning laws would normally allow on the site.
“I’m very much in favor of the project,” Commissioner Tim Heiman said. “I think it’s great that we can add to our housing stock and add a couple affordable units.
I especially like the way the project has broken up into a series of smaller buildings, rather than one large complex.”
The new homes on the site would be built to the north and uphill of the existing apartment building. Residents would access those homes by using a new driveway to be installed off Spaulding Street.
The developer plans to add 28 new parking spaces on the site, bringing the total to 43.
Dave Hood, who lives on Spaulding Street, said the road becomes narrow when cars are parked on both sides of it. He said the street is often crowded with parked cars because of nearby businesses and
he’s concerned that the new residences will increase congestion, creating an issue for emergency vehicle access.
“You’re introducing a lot more parking, a lot more cars, with the new development and not taking into consideration the parking and the right of way on
Spaulding,” Hood said.
But Frate, the architect, said Ross Valley fire officials told him there would be enough space for emergency vehicles on the street. He said the parked cars associated with businesses have been a longstanding issue on Spaulding Street.
The Planning Commission’s approval is final unless it is appealed to the Town Council by 5 p.m. on Jan. 21.