Council welcomes proposal for 75-unit condo complex on San Antonio Road

An illustration developer Yorke Lee submitted to the city showing his proposed condo develpoment for 800 San Antonio Road.

BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT

Daily Post Staff Writer

Palo Alto City Council welcomed a 60-foot housing proposal for the southern part of the city tonight (Aug. 15), but a couple of council members had some concerns about the height of the building and the lack of buses on San Antonio Road.

Developer Yorke Lee was asking council for feedback on a plan to build 75 condos at 800 San Antonio Road before turning in a formal application.

The city has named San Antonio Road, and this property specifically, as a site that’s good for new housing.

“This project seems to be well-located and represent what we’re looking for,” Councilman Tom DuBois said.

DuBois said he wants architect Mark Donahue to limit the height of equipment, like air conditioning, on top of the building. Donahue’s proposal asks for up to 15 feet for the equipment, but DuBois said he could probably do it in five.

Mayor Pat Burt agreed and said the equipment could be set back from the building’s edge so it’s harder to see.

Burt said that Palo Alto should write a joint letter to VTA asking for a bus route along San Antonio Road, which would run from E. Bayshore Road to Foothill College. The route would go through Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

“That would be very helpful to have that connection,” Planning Director Jonathan Lait said.

Councilman Eric Filseth said the height doesn’t bother him in this part of the city, and private companies like Google could provide a shuttle service there too

Fifteen of the condos would be rented at a below-market rate, and 60 would be for sale. Councilwoman Alison Cormack said she liked that they are being sold, because condos are a lower cost option for first-time buyers.

A couple of south Palo Alto residents said they were frustrated by council calling San Antonio Road a good place for development. They said other features, like parks, shopping and bike paths, should go there too.

“Everybody who likes it, none of the people live in the neighborhood,” said John Petrilla, who lives across the street.

The project would have two levels of underground parking and a courtyard in the middle of the complex.

Next door, developer Yurong Han can build a 50-foot building with 102 for-sale condos. Council approved the project in February 2021, but Han hasn’t applied for building permits yet, Lait said.