Greenbelt Alliance is excited to officially endorse Windy Hill Property Ventures’ 1885 S. Norfolk Street Project in San Mateo, which would convert a dated commercial building and large surface parking lot into 321 badly-needed new multi-family homes for city workers and residents, adding to the housing supply in a transit and jobs-rich area.
1885 S. Norfolk is a perfect example of urban infill done well—a new development that will improve upon the existing use of the site and allow San Mateo to reach its housing goals and needs in a climate-smart way.
Sustainable Features
In addition to increasing the housing stock, 1885 S. Norfolk further prioritizes our climate SMART—Sustainable, Mixed, Affordable, Resilient, Transit-Oriented—criteria in a number of ways.
The project promotes alternative transportation methods, providing 348 individual bicycle parking spaces and secure storage, as well as incorporating public transit passes for all project residents. Furthermore, car parking in the project is unbundled, encouraging future residents to ditch their cars and opt for more sustainable methods of transportation.
In planning for on-site sustainability, Windy Hill Property Ventures plans to implement drought-tolerant landscaping throughout the project and streetscapes. The site will also be improved to allow for 1.2 new acres of publicly-accessible waterfront open space and existing sidewalks will be widened to improve the pedestrian experience. Lastly, 15% of these new infill homes will be affordable to those in the very low-income bracket—a higher amount and deeper level of affordability than required by city law.
According to GreenTRIP—a free online tool created by TransForm that models traffic and greenhouse gas impacts of residential projects in California—the 1885 S. Norfolk Street will result in:
2,347 fewer miles driven every day compared to the San Mateo County average.
24% fewer GHG emissions impacts daily compared to the San Mateo County average.
17% less parking use every day compared to the San Mateo County average and $900 in transportation savings for future residents.
We are proud to support Windy Hill Property Ventures’ vision for this site and look forward to seeing this project turn into reality. We hope its approval will inspire cities around the Bay Area to redouble their efforts to grow smartly.
Greenbelt Alliance’s Climate SMART—Sustainable, Mixed, Affordable, Resilient, Transit-Oriented— Development Endorsement Program goals call for fully protecting the Bay Area’s greenbelt, directing growth within existing communities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and accomplishing both in a way that equitably benefits all Bay Area residents. Our Endorsement Program supports projects that advance the right kind of development in the right places. By promoting climate SMART development, we can create thriving, resilient neighborhoods with ready access to transit and housing choices for all of the Bay Area’s people. Find out more about our Endorsement Program here. Feel free to contact our team for more information and support.
Header Photo: Windy Hill Ventures
