Project Description 

“Block 20” is a proposed seven-story mixed-use building located on the block bounded by E. 4^th Avenue, S. Delaware Street, E. 5^th Avenue, and S. Claremont Street. The revised project for Block 20 removes the parcels located at 415 S. Claremont Street (Japanese American Community Center) and 521 E. 5th Avenue (Safari Kids) from the project to preserve the historic resources and maintain the existing childcare uses on-site. The project consists of:

• 98,717 square-feet of office uses
• 72 residential units (48studios, 9 one-bedrooms, and 15 two-bedrooms), of which 6 would be devoted to the very-low income category (15% of the base density) and another 6 would be devoted to the moderate income category (15% of the base density)
• A two-level underground garage with 130 On-site parking spaces including 30 tandem parking stalls for additional 30 parking spaces. Each tandem parking is considered one parking space. 

Project Update 

• The Planning Commission held a hybrid study session on June 25, 2024 (see meeting information below).
• On May 29, 2023, the applicant held a neighborhood meeting to share the project details and collect the community’s input. 
• On March 22, 2024, the applicant submitted a revised project with a significantly modified scope and design. A formal neighborhood meeting and a study session at the Planning Commission will be scheduled for the revised project. 

CEQA

An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has been made available for public review and comment between October 9 and October 29, 2026. The IS/MND, identifies and discusses the potential environmental impacts of the project and, if necessary, proposes mitigation measures to be incorporated in the project to reduce potentially significant impacts to a less-than-significant level. The IS/MND included technical studies for air quality, noise and traffic. The associated Notice of Intent and documents can be reviewed below. A hardcopy is also available at the City’s Permit Center at City Hall (330 West 20^th Avenue) and at the City’s Main Library (55 West 3^rd Avenue, Reference Desk). 

• Notice of Intent
  Block 20 NOI Filed – October 9, 2026
• Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
  Block 20 Mixed-Use IS – Oct 2026
• Appendices and Technical Reports
  • Appendix A Air Quality and Health Risk Assessment Memo
  • Appendix B Tree Inventory Report
  • Appendix C Historic Resources Evaluation and SOI Standard
  • Appendix D Geotech Report
  • Appendix E Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment
  • Appendix F Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
  • Appendix G Noise and Vibration Assessment
  • Appendix H Traffic Impact Assessment and Supplemental Memo
  • Appendix I Sewer Capacity Memo

Project Documents 

Project Plans – March 16, 2026 
Project Plans – January 30, 2026
Project Plans – December 23, 2024
Project Plans – March 22, 2024
Project Plans – August 29, 2023
Project Plans – May 11, 2023
Project Plans – January 31, 2023
Pre Application Project Plans – August 31, 2022
Historic Resources Evaluation  – January 3, 2023

Meetings

• Planning Commission Study Session for the Revised Design (Hybrid)
• EIR Scoping Meeting – Planning Commission Special Meeting –  October 5, 2023
• Planning Commission Study Session - December 13, 2022
• Neighborhood Meeting (Notes) – November 3, 2022

Development Impact Fees

 This project would be subject to payment of the following impact fees and in-lieu fees.

• Commercial Linkage Fee
• Child Care Development Fee
• Landscape Unit In-Lieu Fee
• Park Impact Fee
• Sanitary Sewer Connection Charge
• School Impact Fees
• Transportation Improvement Fee
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase II Impact Fee

 Applicant Information 

Michael Field
Windy Hill Property Ventures
Please direct all applicant-related inquiries to the assigned planner.

City Contact Information

Fahteen Khan
Associate Planner
(650) 522-7222
fkhan@cityofsanmateo.org