Hundreds of new housing units and retail spaces at the former Serramonte Del Rey campus in Daly City may soon become a reality, after years of planning.
The city’s planning commission last week unanimously recommended approval of an amendment to a previously approved plan from the owners of the location, the Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD), which will now go to the City Council.
A previous version of the plan focused on housing units; however, the new plan would also make way for retail spaces.
Michael VanLonkhuysen, the planning division manager, presented the updated plan to the planning committee, which showed mixed use development including a childcare facility, retail space, 14-story buildings with up to 1,235 units of affordable and market rate rental housing and up to 14,000 square feet of retail commercial use.
“The Serramonte Del Rey Neighborhood Project stands as a testament to visionary urban planning as a model that creatively generates a stream of revenue for Jefferson Union, San Mateo County’s lowest funded high school district,” said Austin Worden, the district’s director of communications and staff housing. “This forward-thinking initiative not only fulfills the city’s housing mandate but does so without burdening its residents with increased taxes.”
The district says the money from developing the site would help fund schools and staff.
“We want to improve our staff salaries, attract and retain staff and continue the amazing programs we have continued to develop,” said Kalimah Salahuddin, vice president of the JUHSD Board of Trustees. “(California does) not fund education at the levels they should,” she added, noting that the district’s per student funding is much lower than neighboring districts.
Not all community members attending the meeting agreed with the plans to develop the site, citing the need to save a garden at the location.
“During the pandemic, the garden was a safe haven for myself and also for my family,” said Debbie Santiago, a member of the American Indian Cultural Center, adding it would not do enough for the indigenous people or heritage of the community. “We held ceremonies there.”
Others felt the project focused on the wrong issues.
“We want to improve our staff salaries, attract and retain staff and continue the amazing programs we have continued to develop.” Kalimah Salahuddin, JUHSD Board of Trustees
“If you want to save your schools, you’d be saving Serramonte Del Rey right now,” Nick Occhipinti, a former JUHSD board member said, adding that the process has not been transparent.
Representatives of the NorCal Carpenters Union 217 emphasized the need for a letter of intent from contractors to ensure construction workers are treated fairly during the process.
“I’m here to support the students that live in Daly City. They deserve the best, they are the best and we should do everything we can to give them the best,” said Laurie Hughes, a retired educator.
If approved, it would take around 10 years for the development to be completed.
A public hearing will follow in January.