The Campbell Reporter
News
20-unit townhome project proposed on Salmar Avenue
By Koren Temple
Campbell continues to go through a development renaissance, with another proposed housing project close to its historic downtown core.
The latest project to be reviewed by the Campbell Planning Commission is a 20-unit townhouse development on Salmar Avenue. The planning commission voted 5-2 on Oct. 24 to approve the project. Commissioners George Doorley and Mark Ebner opposed the construction, arguing it was too dense for the 1.27-acre site.
If approved by the Campbell City Council, the homes will be built next to the Orchard Grove development on the site occupied by Posh Imports.
The project, close to Hamilton Avenue and the light rail station, would be the third high-density project in the downtown. The 24-unit Water Tower Condominium project is already selling units, and a mixed-use project on E. Campbell Avenue will include 22 residential units above retail. The combination is creating an urban village in the downtown area.
Developer Pan Cal will construct the three-bedroom Craftsmen-style townhouses with attached two-car garages. The units will range in size from 2,300 to 2,600 square feet.
While the commissioners expressed their support for the aesthetics of the project, issues arose about lack of parking and the high number of units.
Doorley said, "I think we're trying to jam a project in here. I don't think this is realistic as a light rail development."
The project is only a quarter-mile north of the downtown Vasona line, within the city's transit corridor, so developers are permitted to build with less parking.
Each house in the development would be designated just under three parking spaces, which would result in 18 spaces too few. Other recent developments, such as Orchard Grove on Harrison Avenue, also have fewer parking spaces than required. However, unlike at Orchard Grove, this development would not have street parking.
Doorley said residents would not use the light rail as people do not want to walk along Salmar, a heavily used road giving commuters access to Hamilton Avenue and Highway 17. The street has no sidewalks and is not designed for pedestrian traffic.
Commissioner Michael Rocha also had his doubts.
"The neighborhood cannot absorb any more parking. Salmar is not the little secret it use to be, where people used it to cut through to Campbell Avenue. Those days are gone."
Rocha said he was also concerned that residents would be blindsided when turning out of the common lot driveway because of the curves in the road.
Redevelopment manager Kirk Heinrich defended the merits of the project, and reminded the commission to think of the project with an urban approach, not through a suburban lens.
"We look at E. Campbell Avenue as an urban area. A lot went into designing this project," he said.
The majority of the commissioners agreed with Heinrich.
"I think Campbell is coming along nicely and we have a good project here. It is an urban environment where people can walk downtown," Commissioner Bob Roseberry said.
Commissioner Bob Alderete added, "I think the project is consistent with Orchard Grove and Ainsley Square. I think this is the right place for this project.
Project manager Leonard Huffman said a year's worth of work went into the design of the project, which incorporates many features that play into the Craftsmen area, including entry porches, trellises and benches as well as specialized lighting and French doors.
This latest project continues an ongoing theme of infill and high-density closer to the downtown.
"People haven't embraced light rail--yet. This area is intended to be an urban environment," Alderete said. "It's a whole different lifestyle, and I'm supportive of it."
