Linda Ave Townhouses Get Council Go Ahead

Tuesday night, City Council approved a plan for the construction of an upscale multi-family housing complex at 408 Linda Avenue on the site of a 1926 electric utility substation.

Council unanimously approved the final version of the environmental impact report for the project, which includes a statement that the benefits of additional housing outweigh the with the demolition of the Pacific Gas and Electric substation.

Council also cast a unanimous vote to allow condominium ownership of the three-story townhouses, and a 3-1 vote to approve the development’s design.

Garrett Keating was the only council member to vote against the project’s design. He argued that two parking garages per townhouse was insufficient and would lead to parking congestion on the street.

“We should make developments of this nature accommodate more off-street parking,” he said. “I agree that something needs to go in this space, I just think it needs to be integrated better with the broader zone down there.”

Councilwoman Margaret Fujioka proposed modifying the language in the landscape map plan to ensure the Park Commission approves the removal of any trees on the site before the project is issued with a building permit. She added that any trees removed from the property be replaced by another similarly sized tree.

“It’s really important to have a landscaping plan that enhances the area,” said Fujioka.

The $3.8 million project would be the first multi-family housing complex built in Piedmont since the 1950's. The new units, expected to be put on the market for upwards of a million dollars each, would help satisfy for adding housing and increasing density, if not providing affordable housing. 

The next project’s next step is to secure a building permit and seek financing for construction, said developer Patrick Zimsky.

The period of construction would not go beyond 14 months, he said.

“We have every intention of building this as expeditiously as possible,” he said.