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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

March 17, 2005

Condo project hoped to be boost

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The small region -- east of Interstate 680, between Parkside Drive, Pringle Avenue and North Main Street -- is the only area of the city currently designated for high-density "mixed-use" office, retail and residential projects.

The Riviera Homes development to be constructed at 1605 Riviera Ave. will include five studios, and 12 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom and three three-bedroom units.

The developer expects prices to start at more than $600,000 when the homes are completed in a little less than two years.

Five units will be set aside as affordable to moderate-income earners. The city's inclusionary housing ordinance requires 10 percent of new projects to be affordable. This means one studio and one one-bedroom will be priced about $235,000 each, while three two-bedroom units will sell for about $274,000 to those who qualify.

"To me, this project, it's just great," said Councilwoman Sue Rainey. "It's urban infill right by offices and BART. We need that kind of housing in there."

The project will consist of three buildings connected by covered walkways sloping up a slight hill next to the Mt. Diablo Plaza office complex and Tower Court apartments. It will replace three two-story apartment buildings and carports, which are expected to be demolished this summer.

Council members praised the project's architecture, designed by the Walnut Creek firm Loving & Campos Architects Inc. The development will feature octagonal towers, room-height windows and balconies, along with a central landscaped courtyard.

"I think this would be a very attractive home," Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Hicks said, noting that the size of each unit will range from 800 square feet to more than 1,500 square feet.

Councilwoman Gwen Regalia said the project fits the definition of a "transit village," although it doesn't include commercial uses. But she noted that residents could shop at ground floor retail shops in the adjacent Mt. Diablo Plaza, possibly attracting a larger diversity of stores.

Councilman Charlie Abrams agreed the project will be a good addition to the city.

"This is so consistent with what we have tried to do in the Golden Triangle area," he said.

Planner Scott Harriman said the small mixed-use district was dubbed "the Golden Triangle" in the 1980s, when land speculators snatched up parcels in the area after the BART station was built and property values to skyrocketed. After developers built several high-rise projects there, voters passed an anti-growth measure. The measure was later overturned, but it was followed by Measure A, which limited heights.

The Riviera Homes project will be 50 feet high, with an additional 4 feet allowed for a sloping roof. The council agreed that the project is consistent with buildings in the area and will fit in with the recently approved Riviera and Windsor apartment buildings, to be constructed at 1515 Riviera Ave. and 2383 N. Main St.

Architect David Bogstad said the developer expects to give residents in the current apartment buildings on the property 90 days notice before demolition occurs. Those who qualify, based on income, will receive two month's rent for relocation assistance. He said the developer will also work with current tenants to see if they can qualify to purchase the new affordable units.

Earlier in the meeting, representatives from the Greenbelt Alliance and Sierra Club praised the city for preserving open space and encouraging developers to provide affordable housing.

After approving the project, Mayor Gary Skrel cited those comments, saying, "This is another indication that we are a model city."

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Reach Theresa Harrington at 925-945-4764, or by e-mail at tharrington@cctimes.com.

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