Mountain View's North Bayshore Could Have Much Less Housing Than Proposed

Mountain View’s North Bayshore could end up with thousands fewer units than originally proposed for the region. Google, which has proposed a canopy-like campus in the area, is pushing back against the possible reduction, the Mercury News reports. City staff determined the area could sustain 1,500 to 3,000 units given the potential for traffic congestion instead of the 9,850 units proposed.

The city council was split on how to control the growth of the area, which would include 3.6M SF of office, during Tuesday’s meeting, the Silicon Valley Business Journal reports. A phased development plan could be considered to help ease the growth. No final vote on the plan was made during the meeting, but the council will review the plan and any further information again in the fall.

Mountain View has long imposed caps on the number of cars coming in and out of the area and housing within the plan would help ease the number of cars, according to Mountain View Voice. Minimal parking ratios have been proposed under the expectation that mass transit and self-driving cars would lead to fewer future residents owning cars. Opponents have said these expectations are far too optimistic and the plan needs to accommodate current transit needs before any other forms of transit are considered.

Google is pushing for 8,950 units to coincide with the Charleston East campus. If development is limited to 3,000 units, Google said the density would not justify transit improvements nor provide enough residents to support retail in the area, according to the Mercury News.

City staff previously reviewed a draft plan that included 40% of micro-units or studios, 30% one-bedroom, 20% two-bedroom and 10% three-bedroom units. About 20% overall would be affordable.