Hollister Planning Commission to consider 100% affordable apartment project

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A 17-unit apartment project designed to be affordable to various income levels planned for Fourth Street adjacent to the Dollar General store is set to go before the Hollister Planning Commission on Sept. 25.

The commissioners are also set to reconsider a six-unit residential project, which now includes an inclusionary housing element after its first iteration was previously denied by the Hollister City Council.

According to a staff report, the affordable apartment complex project applicant is Paul Davis out of Monterey and the property owner is Community Services Development Corporation.

Davis proposes to construct multifamily apartments with one- and two-bedroom units spread over two multi-story buildings. One of the units is proposed to be designated for very low-income, 13 would be for low-income, and three for moderate income tenants. 

According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s 2025 income limits, the area median income in San Benito County is $140,200. A household of three would be eligible for very low income housing if it earns less than $60,150 and low income housing if the household makes less than $96,300.

The project consists of seven one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units. The project also includes 25 parking spaces, 830 square feet of common open space including a playground, according to the staff report.

In addition, the report states the project is eligible for density bonus waivers allowed under the city code and the applicant is requesting a reduction of total common and private space, and the number of off-street parking spaces required by the city. 

The second project, known as Everglen 2, is a modification of a project that was denied by the city council in May citing a lack of affordable and multi-family housing in the proposal. The majority of the City Council ran on slowing down residential development. 

The new proposal now includes designating one of six proposed units to be deed-restricted to moderate income level. The project is located on N. Chappel Road. 

While the previous iteration required city council approval, the planning commission will make the decision this time around because the applicant did not request a planned development approval. 

The commission had previously recommended the city council approve the proposal. 

This project is considered the second phase of the entire 82-unit project that was approved in 2022 and is currently under construction.

The previous applicant, Pad Trust’s Augie Dent told the city council in May that he removed the residential units in the undeveloped area from the original project of 88 units because a 2022 density calculation “required to take them away.”

Everglen includes a linear park and walkway totaling 1.3 acres along Hwy 25. Some of the units are planned to have attached accessory dwelling units. None of the residential units in the first phase were deeded affordable. 

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 375 Fifth Street.

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