New housing project bolsters city’s vision for future of San Antonio

The sound of construction is becoming a familiar refrain along San Antonio Road, and Monday’s City Council review of a proposed 200-apartment complex at 720 San Antonio Road only underscored that reality. The project, pitched by High Street Residential, seeks to demolish three existing commercial buildings and replace them with an eight-story building featuring apartments, co-working spaces, and amenities like a fitness room and pool lounge – a sign of how the city is adapting to evolving work patterns. While the proposal received generally positive feedback from council members, it also highlighted the challenges of balancing rapid development with a still-evolving vision for the area’s future.

What Happened

The proposed development at 720 San Antonio Road, located just north of Middlefield Road and bordering Mountain View, envisions a building with parking and amenities on the first two floors and apartments on the upper six floors. John Kosi, principal at BDE Architecture, explained the co-working space is intended to cater to residents working from home, providing meeting rooms and office facilities. “The co-working space is for the residents to do the work from home in this new era,” Kosi said. “They can have meetings there, there will be different offices there, they will have all the stuff they need to really run their business when they’re working from home.” The plans call for 113 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units, 25 studios, and 18 three-bedroom units, including 30 designated as below-market-rate: 18 for households with very-low incomes and 12 for those with moderate incomes. The project requires a zone change from commercial to “planned home zoning” to proceed. The proposal comes as the city reviews several other residential projects along San Antonio Road, including a 168-apartment complex at 788 San Antonio Road, a 174-unit complex at 800 San Antonio, and a 25-unit complex for 824 San Antonio. It is also considering a proposal to replace Magnussen Toyota with 66 townhomes. Mountain View City Government is actively developing a San Antonio Road Area Plan to guide future development and add parks, retail, and transportation improvements to the new residential community.

High Street Residential’s vice president, Brian Schmidt, emphasized the project’s alignment with the city’s housing goals and the San Antonio Road Area Plan, stating the current site is “well occupied but ultimately underutilized” and doesn't reflect the desired vision. “It’s a well occupied but ultimately underutilized site and one that doesn’t reflect the vision of the San Antonio Road Area Plan,” Schmidt said. The new development would replace existing businesses, including Crossroads Specialty Market. The building itself would be 89 feet tall and include 217 parking spaces for cars and 148 spaces for bicycles, falling short of the 276 parking spaces required by current zoning code. The City of Palo Alto is working to balance the need for housing with the concerns of residents.

During the Nov. 9 prescreening session, Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims likened the situation to “approaching the tarmac and we’re still building the airport,” acknowledging the simultaneous excitement and anxiety of approving projects while a comprehensive area plan is still under development. She stated, “You’re coming forward now, which is wonderful, but the San Antonio area plan process is underway and not complete. We know we’ll get there, we just want to be deliberate and thoughtful about your project in the context of everything else to come.” While generally supportive, council members raised concerns about the lack of ground-floor retail and suggested increasing parking, rideshare spaces, and affordable housing units. Councilman Ed Lauing advocated for more below-market-rate units, while Councilmembers Pat Burt and Keith Reckdahl stressed the importance of incorporating retail to avoid creating a “retail desert.” BDE Architecture is the firm behind the project’s design.

Parking and Retail Concerns

The current proposal’s parking allocation of 217 spaces falls short of the 276 mandated by city code, raising concerns about potential traffic congestion and overflow parking in surrounding neighborhoods. Council members expressed a desire to see increased parking capacity, particularly for rideshare and delivery vehicles, to mitigate these issues. The lack of ground-floor retail was another point of contention, with several council members emphasizing the need for commercial spaces to serve residents and the broader community. Councilmember Reckdahl specifically noted that ground-floor retail would be an “asset for people who live here and also in the neighborhood,” contributing to a more vibrant and walkable area. High Street Residential will need to address these concerns to secure approval.

Community Reaction

While the formal public hearing is forthcoming, the Nov. 9 prescreening session offered a glimpse into the community’s perspective. Council members echoed the sentiments of residents who desire a balance between increased housing density and the preservation of neighborhood character. The lack of ground-floor retail resonated with concerns about maintaining a vibrant and accessible commercial core. The discussion underscored the broader challenge of accommodating growth while ensuring that new developments enhance, rather than detract from, the quality of life for existing residents. The need for more affordable housing options was also highlighted, reflecting a community commitment to inclusivity and economic diversity. Crossroads Specialty Market will be displaced by the new development.

What's Next

The project’s progress hinges on several key steps. First, High Street Residential must formally submit its application for a zone change and detailed site plans. The City Council will then hold a formal public hearing to receive additional feedback from residents and stakeholders. Concurrent with this process, the San Antonio Road Area Plan is expected to be finalized, providing a framework for future development in the area. The plan will dictate standards for building height, density, parking, and the inclusion of amenities like parks and retail. The developer will likely need to revise its proposal to align with the requirements of both the planned home zoning designation and the emerging area plan.

Marcus's Take

What’s happening on San Antonio Road isn't just about new apartments; it’s a reflection of the broader challenges facing Atherton and the Peninsula: how do we accommodate growth while preserving the character and values that make this community special? The rush to build, driven by state mandates and market demand, can easily outpace thoughtful planning. The council’s concerns about ground-floor retail and parking are legitimate – they speak to the desire for a community that’s not just dense, but also vibrant and livable. The emphasis on co-working spaces is a pragmatic response to the changing nature of work, but it also highlights a potential shift in how we define community. Will these new residents, working remotely and potentially transient, feel a deep connection to Atherton? Will they invest in our schools, our churches, and our local businesses?

The situation underscores the importance of strong families and stable neighborhoods. When communities are built on a foundation of committed relationships, they are better equipped to weather the challenges of growth and change. We need to support policies and initiatives that encourage families to stay together, that promote authentic faith, and that celebrate the values that have always made Atherton a place where people want to put down roots. The San Antonio Road Area Plan represents an opportunity to get this right – to create a vision for the future that honors our past and embraces a future filled with hope and promise. Stanford University is also considering building a housing complex at Research Park.

Ultimately, the success of the San Antonio Road project will depend not just on the design of the buildings, but on the quality of the community they create. It’s a reminder that development isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about building a better future for all of us.