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<br />PUBLIC HEARING. Appeal of CHALLENGE DEVELOPMENTS, INC., from denial by the
<br />Planning Commission of their application to amend the Zoning Map to rezone
<br />property located westerly side of 2nd Avenue between Broadway and Rolison
<br />Road Lots 10 through 20, Block 6, Redwood Industrial Tract No. 2 from
<br />"IR" Industrial Restricted to "R-5" (Multi -Family -High Density) District,
<br />declared open and affidavits of publication and mailing ordered filed. --
<br />Communications were read, one from Rex H. Turner, President, Redwood
<br />City Chamber of Commerce, indicating support of the rezoning application,
<br />in view of previous apparent disinterest in developing the property; and
<br />one from Arthur H. Hausman, Executive Vice President, Ampex Corporation,
<br />reaffirming objections stated earlier in a letter dated April 28 to the
<br />Planning Commission, that development in the area had been done in
<br />reliance on the existing zoing. (Copies of each letter submitted to Council)
<br />Mr. Gordon Hanson, Challenge Developments, Inc., 4th
<br />and Spring Street, directed attention to present use
<br />of the property, and the proposed use, density and
<br />location, and to the fact of the quality of their
<br />other developments, such as Marshall Street.
<br />Mr, Charles Olivia, Challenge Developments, Inc., commented
<br />on a recent Pacific Coast Buildings conference, and in his
<br />contacts found the trend seems toward multi -family dwellings
<br />or high-rise type. He noted demand and lack of availability
<br />of dwelling units in neighboring cities. He described the
<br />proposed project as having 14,000 sq.ft, of open space;
<br />130 one -bedroom units and 30 two-bedroom units. Archi-
<br />tecturally, it is to be similar to Marshall Street,
<br />Councilman Weymouth questioned the volume of off-street parking that would
<br />be provided, and Mr. Olivia advised there would be 218 parking spaces for
<br />160 units. Proposed rentals of $175 per month for one -bedroom units and
<br />$270 for two-bedroom units were noted, and in the discussion it was
<br />suggested by the developer that while perhaps some children might be
<br />allowed, it was intended the development would attract the "newly formed
<br />family" or single adults. Councilman Keckley noted earlier reference to
<br />goals of Citizens' Advisory Committee and Mr. Olivia's interpretation, and
<br />pointed out that Committee's recommendation for a two -to -one ratio of park-
<br />ing space to unit, as well as the current on -street parking problems in
<br />apartment -zoned areas. He felt 245 to 250 off-street parking spaces would
<br />be preferable to proposed 218. Mr. Olivia responded that parking spaces
<br />could be increased by reducing or eliminating the open space planned. In
<br />further discussion, it was determined the proposed project was planned to
<br />be six stories high, or approximately 55 feet, and for correlation it was
<br />noted the most recent and tallest Ampex Building constructed was 45 feet
<br />high.
<br />Mr. Herman Marzlin, 3000 Hoover Street, appeared in
<br />protest of the rezoning, citing the narrow streets and
<br />expressing concern as to increased parking problems, such
<br />as exist wherever there are apartments. He indicated
<br />duplexes would be welcome, but neighboring property owners
<br />are strongly opposed to an apartment.
<br />Mr. Robert M. Underhill, President, Land Development
<br />Company, owners of property in question, displayed a
<br />sketch showing the parcels as previously owned. Of
<br />the 14 to 16 parcels, some had been developed by
<br />Mr. Stulsaft, and some recently have been sold. He
<br />reported a meeting early in the year with Ampex
<br />management to determine their interest in purchasing
<br />the property, and the matter was to have been referred
<br />to their Board of Directors. However, nothing further
<br />was heard from them. Because of their lack of interest, _
<br />Land Development went ahead with arrangements with
<br />Challenge Development, so as to put the property to
<br />use.
<br />Mr. Hanson described some of his firm's developments in
<br />the Farm Hill area, and stated there is a need for housing
<br />and that such a development would fill a requirement. He
<br />indicated if on -street parking is anticipated to be a
<br />problem, red curbing can be created, which then makes it
<br />a police problem. However, it was intended to provide
<br />adequate parking for their tenants.
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