After developers were told to go back to the drawing board earlier this year to improve the design and amenities of a proposed 216-unit condominium project with nearly 6,000 square feet of mixed-use retail for a parcel in southern Milpitas, city officials formally advanced the revised version of the development last week.
Milpitas City Council voted 4-0 Aug. 2, with Councilman Garry Barbadillo recusing himself, to approve 720 Montague. The project, located on a 2.35-acre site along Montague Expressway, South Milpitas Boulevard and Gladding Court, will be located near the planned Milpitas Bay Area Rapid Transit Station.
The project's proposed condos will include 15 junior one bedrooms units, 126 one bedroom units and 75 two bedroom units, which range in size from 690 square feet and 1,200 square feet. In addition, the project will feature two floors of below ground parking with 353 parking stalls, with 334 spots for residents and 19 for retail use. Additionally, the site will have 54 bicycle stalls and 17 short-term bike spots.
The project was previously reviewed by the Milpitas Planning Commission on April 13.
When asked by that panel about the intent of the retail space, Badru Valani, the property owner and developer, said he would like to include a cafe that provides breakfast, lunch and dinner, or something similar that can be available all day. Also at the April 13 meeting, Milpitas Unified Board of Education Vice President Bob Nunez said the school district supported the project.
Although well liked by planners, by the following month the city council took issue with 720 Montague's design.
On May 3, Mayor Jose Esteves told the developer the project lacked public amenities and added he was not "impressed" with its design. Ulitmately, the council voted 2-2, with Esteves and Vice Mayor Carmen Montano dissenting, to table the development for a future meeting. Barbadillo recused himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
But last week the city council offered a different reaction to the project as they expressed happiness with the changes made to its design as well as the amenities the city would get from this development. That included $60,000 to the city's general fund for community benefit; $70,000 to extend the city's recyclable water pipes; and $9 million in transit fees.
At the Aug. 2 meeting, the developer presented the changes that had been made to the design which included changing the material used for the facade of the four- to five-story building to wood composite panel, extending the balconies, adding architecture that defined the first-floor retail space and using more of the city's official tree -- the jacaranda -- on site.
At the same meeting, the council also approved an exemption to allow for a pool and spa to be built into the property as an amenity for the residents of the complex. The pools cannot be filled until the state lifts its drought restrictions. Other amenities include two interior courtyards, a connecting breezeway with seating options and an indoor Wi-Fi lounge and gym.
Resident Robert Marini took issue with additional housing units being built when residents are being asked to conserve water. The mayor disagreed.
"We have to balance growth with conservation. Not zero growth, I don't want to have to ask my kids to not have a kid, we have to accommodate growth, if you want to control housing development talk to the governor," Esteves said.
Source: The San Jose Mercury News, Aliyah Mohammed
http://www.mercurynews.com/milpitas/ci_30238503/milpitas-council-approves-mixed-use-condo-development-montague
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