City Council Greenlights Projects for More than 900 New Homes

Despite some objections, the Milpitas City Council Tuesday night gave a green light to the amended, high-density, 734-unit Citation Montague Village residential project, to be built at 1200 Piper Drive in the Transit Area Specific Plan (TASP).

Amendments made to the original proposal include the replacing of one of the “wrap” apartment structures with 94 townhomes, and adding a fifth story to the other two “wrap” buildings.

Citation Homes spokesman Mike Sullivan said, “We will be offering a 'for sale' component in a project of apartments.”

Councilmember Armando Gomez expressed his approval of the changes and his desire for the project to move forward.

“Thank you very much. This is a high-quality program,” he said.

In a PowerPoint presentation he made during the meeting, Scott Littlehale of Carpenter's Union Local 405 sought additional environmental reviews for the Citation Homes project. Additionally, he and fellow union member Jacob Adiarte expressed concerns about chemical contamination at the site. Another member, Rick Solis, voiced concerns over toxic air from traffic.

Vice Mayor Pete McHugh explained the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Regional Water Quality Control Board are currently reviewing potential solutions to the issues of air quality and potential vapor barriers, and may suggest two additional contingencies for the project.

Upon hearing that, Councilmember Althea Polanski voiced her approval.

“I agree, this is a quality project,” she said.

Councilmember Debbie Giordano asked staff about the Planning Commission's response to the Carpenters' Union's concerns.

Senior Planner Sheldon Ah Sing said the commission voted for the development with the conditions presented by staff, and said they are adequate, unless exceeded.

Giordano said, “I'm comfortable with the staff recommendations, and not comfortable with added conditions that set up precedents for future projects.”

Gomez said he felt the union's opposition had more to do with hiring of union workers than with unsafe conditions.

“It should be approved as-is,” he said.

Milpitas resident Robert Marini asked if any councilmembers received contributions from Citation Homes. Vice Mayor McHugh said he received a contribution of $350 from Citation Homes in 2010.

The motion to adopt the resolution by Gomez, seconded by Giordano, included requests for hiring local labor, and a project art piece.

Shea Properties' 204-unit apartment development on the southern tip of the Midtown Specific Plan received approval with little opposition.

The former Matteson Project, previously proposed for the same location, had called for 126 units and some retail space.

Shea Properties Senior Vice President J. J. Abraham said the company was very excited about the project, as it provides much-needed affordable units for Milpitas. He said is proud of the new tower element at the intersection of Main and Abel streets that serves as a gateway.

Senior Planner Ah Sing said getting nine affordable units here is a plus.

Local resident Robert Marini complained the project would “increase traffic and cause higher water and sewer fees.”

In response to Mayor Jose Esteves' question about the fact that retail elements are no longer included in the proposal, Abraham said that convenient parking is lacking, and the businesses would not be viable in today's economy.

When Mayor Esteves inquired about a timetable for the project's completion, Abraham said Shea expects to break ground in the summer of 2012 and complete building in about two years.