A Morgan Hill-based developer has submitted plans for a 104-unit housing project on an 18.3-acre parcel in unincorporated Gilroy.
Wren Investors recently submitted plans for the project to the Santa Clara County planning office. Proposed at the corner of Vickery Avenue and Wren Avenue in north Gilroy, the preliminary plans include 82 single family homes and 11 duplexes that will be deed restricted for low-income households, according to the county planning office.
According to San Francisco YIMBY, Dividend Homes filed the plans through Wren Investors.
The plans were submitted under SB330, a state law that makes it easier for developers to build affordable housing projects.
Part of that law is known as the “builder’s remedy,” which allows developers to bypass local zoning laws when proposing affordable housing projects. The builder’s remedy law is triggered when a jurisdiction’s housing element is found to be out of date or not in compliance with state laws.
County planning staff said they have received the preliminary plans for the project, known as Vickery Avenue Suburbs, but do not have to take any action until the developer files applications.
The project’s civil engineer is MH Engineering, and the architect is Dahlin Group.
“Illustrations show a familiar Spanish revival style, evoking the region’s colonial history through exterior light-sand stucco, terracotta tile roofing and accents of stone veneer,” according to San Francisco YIMBY, a pro-housing advocacy group. “All structures will rise two floors and similar designs to achieve a cohesive built environment across the proposed neighborhood.”
The property is currently zoned for open space. Through the builder’s remedy, the developer will seek to bypass local zoning laws, according to YIMBY. The developer’s preliminary plans were filed using SB330 in order to streamline the process.
The project is one of more than three dozen housing projects currently planned in Santa Clara County under SB330 and the builder’s remedy law, according to the county planning office. More than 25 of those are proposed in unincorporated areas of Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill.
In-fill construction in a large parcel of fallow land. Build them. Too bad it’s not denser housing, but anything helps.
Also too bad GUSD sold the old Antonio Del Buono school property a few years ago. Maybe if more housing is built around there it can be re-opened some day.
At the rate Gilroy is growing, I’m sure they’re going to have to increase the amount of schools anyway. I used to go to Antonio, I was sad to see it close. One day I hope it can reopen!
So the government isn’t happy bringing in a budget for people who want to buy an existing home! They now want to take land reserved for open space so they can screw over people more to buy a new home,when people can’t afford the existing ones! Wow, what another stupid plan by people who just can’t get enough of our money! Does BlackRock own this project too? They can’t get enough of the country land fast enough! This idea is bad on so many levels! We lived 25 yrs in MH! Finally had to sell and bought in Gilroy! Now, you are ready to crowd us out here, create more traffic and chaos! Is this going to be one of your 15 min cities? What your goal, build on protected land so we don’t have any place to plant crops?? Your idea stinks and I’m disgusted by whoever ok’d it!
“Anthills by the train station,” except there is no train station.
Forward!