December 28, 2020
The City of Mill Valley Planning Division received a Design Review application for a mixed-use housing development project at 575 East Blithedale Avenue on December 17, 2020. The proposal, referred to as “Richardson Terrace,” includes 25 residential units and 2,064 square feet of ground floor Commercial Office space on a 1.2-acre site. Twelve small housing units including 11 two-bedroom units and 1 one-bedroom unit are proposed above the office space. Further back from the street, the project proposes residential townhomes, including 3 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units. The project includes a Vesting Tentative Map application for the purpose of dividing the proposed development into 17 lots.
The project site is currently designated for “Neighborhood Commercial (CN)” uses in the City’s General Plan. The CN designation permits mixed use projects with a residential component, provided that residential densities are between 19 and 29 dwelling units per acre. With 25 residential units on 1.2 acres, Richardson Terrace would be developed at a residential density of 21 units per acre.
According to the project narrative provided by the applicant, “consistent with Mill Valley Municipal Code Chapter 20.80, 25% of the Project’s housing units (6 units; 0.25x25=6.25) will be provided at below market sales prices. Specifically, three units will be sold at an affordable price to moderate income households (up to 120% of the area median income), and three units will be sold at an affordable price to low income households (up to 80% of the area median income). In addition, as provided in Municipal Code Section 20.80.050.D1.b, the Project will pay an impact fee to satisfy its remaining 0.25 “fractional unit” affordable housing obligation”.
Status:
The Design Review and Tentative Tract Map applications are currently under review by City staff for completeness review and to assess the level of environmental review that will be required for the project.
Public Hearings:
Public hearings will be scheduled to consider the mixed-use project once the application materials are determined to be complete and environmental review has been conducted.
Planning staff will continue to provide updates to the community on the proposed project through e-mail notifications and updates to the project website.