Architectural Review Board - August 7, 2025

Review of 197-unit San Antonio Road project continued pending CEQA analysis

The Architectural Review Board voted 5-0 to continue a proposed seven-story, 197-unit rental project at 762 San Antonio Road to a date uncertain, pending completion of CEQA analysis. The action kept the Major Architectural Review application under review rather than approving or rejecting it, and the applicant was encouraged to address the board’s feedback before returning.

The proposal would replace an existing truck-rental and commercial site. It includes 26 below-market-rate apartments, or 13% of the units, for households earning 50% to 80% of area median income, according to a clarification from staff during the hearing. The plans also call for 252 parking spaces on two above-ground levels and outdoor amenities on the third and seventh floors.

Staff described the development as a Builder’s Remedy project subject to state density-bonus law, which constrains the city’s discretion. Board members generally viewed the proposal favorably but requested further study of resident circulation, loading and delivery access, landscaping, rooftop amenities, balconies, materials and the building’s perceived height. David Hirsch noted that some residents could face a roughly 400-foot trip from the main elevator lobby to units at the far end of the building, while Kendra Rosenberg supported using Lakehorn Street for loading, trash and some parking access to preserve a more pedestrian-oriented San Antonio Road frontage.

Members also asked staff and the applicant to examine whether requested waivers involving upper-story setbacks, facade breaks, utility frontage and seventh-floor landscaping were necessary to maintain the proposed density, and to reduce waivers where feasible. Public comments questioned the number and affordability of the below-market-rate apartments and raised concerns about artificial turf, trees, pedestrian access, building scale and groundwater.

Staff said the environmental work, described as an addendum to a previously certified environmental impact report, was still being prepared. The project is expected to return to the board after that analysis is complete, although no hearing date was set. A final decision is anticipated to go to the City Council after Architectural Review Board review.

Chen and Adcock win unanimous board leadership votes

The board elected Yingxi Chen as chair and Mousam Adcock as vice chair, each by a 5-0 vote. Chen had been serving as vice chair, while Adcock was a board member. Kendra Rosenberg concluded her service as chair during the meeting.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet