Plans for a seven-story condominium development in Mountain View took an unexpected turn after developer Kevin DeNardi of DeNardi Wang Homes submitted a last-minute proposal to reduce the number of affordable homes for the project. Community Development Director Christian Murdock held a public hearing on September 2 for the 216-condo project poised to replace 29 rent-controlled apartments on Gamel Way, a cul-de-sac located across the street from Castro and Mistral elementary schools. Under state law, the project qualifies for a streamlined administrative review that does not require a City Council vote unless an appeal is filed. At the hearing, Murdock did not make a final decision, stating he wanted additional time to consider public comments, with a decision anticipated by the September 8 deadline established by state law.
For nearly a decade, Kevin DeNardi has sought to build condos at 1919-1945 Gamel Way, initially planning a four-story development approved by the city council five years ago before submitting a new application in 2023 for a seven-story project nearly twice the size. This updated proposal was submitted when Mountain View missed the deadline to get its housing element certified by the state, allowing the plans to proceed as a builder’s remedy project.
Last-Minute Affordable Housing Adjustments:
While builder’s remedy projects can bypass local zoning regulations provided a certain portion of homes remain affordable to lower-income households, changes to state law lowered the requirement from 20% to 13%. On August 28, just days before the hearing, DeNardi emailed the city stating his intention to include fewer affordable condos under these updated provisions to ensure the project moves forward amid high interest rates and construction costs. This change results in 29 affordable condos instead of the 44 previously proposed. DeNardi acknowledged that this was not an ideal development late in the project, but emphasized that it was essential for delivering much-needed housing.
Community Opposition and Neighborhood Concerns:
Beyond the reduction in affordable housing, the public hearing drew a large turnout of residents, with more than a dozen people appearing to oppose the condo development. Commenters voiced concerns that an influx of vehicles would contribute to traffic and parking congestion while creating safety hazards near the elementary schools, despite project plans calling for a parking garage for 252 vehicles. Several residents also argued that the development was excessively large for the neighborhood and would overshadow existing one- and two-story homes and apartment buildings. While some acknowledged the city’s limited legal ability to constrain the project, they urged the developer to meet with residents to collaborate, a sentiment echoed by resident Marty Connor, who emphasized wanting an ongoing conversation and insight into neighborhood functionality.
Developer Response and Next Steps:
In response, DeNardi expressed a willingness to talk with residents about their concerns, noting that he was born and raised in Mountain View and has witnessed numerous changes over the years. He defended the project by asserting that it will provide much-needed housing to help reduce rental prices in Mountain View, alongside additional benefits such as relocation assistance for displaced renters and a “right of first refusal” for them to return to a new condo. Community Development Director Christian Murdock noted that the final decision would likely be posted to the city website on September 8 and can be appealed to the council within 10 calendar days of notification. Additionally, the council will separately vote on authorizing the sale of Gamel Way—a public street necessary for the development to proceed—though the timing and terms of the sale remain undisclosed.
