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Council Watch
Planning likes the look of new housing development
Construction on 4.3-acre site downtown could begin in spring
Downtown Campbell may soon be home to some new homes. In a public hearing held last week, the Campbell Planning Commission recommended the development of 51 new homes on Harrison Avenue, directly across the street from the Campbell Public Library parking lot.
The commission voted 4-2 in favor of the development. The recommendation goes to the City Council for a vote on Nov. 16.
If approved, construction is scheduled to begin next spring. Summerhill Homes, a residential real estate developer based in Palo Alto, will be building the Craftsman/Victorian-style homes. At present, the 4.3-acre site is home to two businesses, Design Response and A Party Place.
Adam Tennant, who represented Summerhill Homes at the meeting, said, "We really believe it's critical to capture the flavor of each community in which we build, and in this particular case, the historic atmosphere that permeates downtown Campbell is really something that we relish."
Opponents of the development, including Planning Commission chairman Brad Jones, argued that the project's high density--12 units per acre--would be a detriment to downtown Campbell's increasingly congested streets and inadequate parking.
"The city of Campbell is one of the most densely populated cities in the South Bay. I think we share more than our fair share of the burden of the population in this community," said Jones. "I don't think the answer to lessen congestion and improve quality of life is higher density houses. ... Every time we turn around there's another planned development with extremely high density."
Veronica Perry, a homeowner on Harrison Avenue, spoke before the commission to welcome the new development into her light-industrial neighborhood.
"I've lived in Campbell all my life and I've owned a home here for over 13 years," Perry said. "I'm looking forward to having the Summerhill homes across the street. I feel at times that I've lived in somewhat of a blighted area. ... I look forward to the Summerhill homes because they will, I think, help make our little section of Harrison a much more attractive entrance into downtown Campbell."
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Campbell, California
