South San Francisco’s city council has unanimously approved a transit-oriented project from SummerHill Apartment Communities. The 172-unit project at 988 El Camino Real sits on a 1.67-acre site at the intersection of El Camino Real and Chestnut Avenue and is being designed by KTGY Architecture + Planning.

The project falls within South San Francisco's El Camino Real/Chestnut area plan, which calls for 4,800 units of housing. The site is occupied by South City Car Wash, which is expected to remain open until construction begins in early 2019.

The six-story building will have 11K SF of retail centered around a corner plaza and a variety of amenities such as a lounge, fitness studio, bike hub, dog park and spur trail connecting to Centennial Way. The community will have a range of units from studios to two-bedroom units. Additional amenities will include a spa, fire pits, an outdoor kitchen and dining areas, a clubroom and lounge areas.

To reduce reliance on cars, SummerHill will offer $100 in introductory Clipper cards to residents and a $35 subsidy over three months to use carpool and bus services, according to SummerHill Vice President of Development and Project Lead Elaine Breeze.

An on-site transportation coordinator and a community web portal will provide carpooling opportunities. The site is less than a mile from the South San Francisco BART station and is served by SamTrans, which connects to the station.

The design incorporates the use of brick street walls, which are designed to mimic traditional storefronts in scale, materials and detailing, according to KTGY Director of Planning Sara Fernandez. The residential levels above will be stepped back to allow for an elaborate corner tower, she said.

Parking is hidden behind storefronts, landscape screening and in the basement. Commercial and visitor parking will be at the ground level offering 47 spaces. Resident parking will be secured underground, offering 212 spaces. The complex will offer 130 bike parking spaces, as well as electric vehicle charging stations. 

SummerHill plans to build an outdoor fitness park for the public. It will contain seven fitness stations accessible from the Centennial Way trail, according to Breeze.

The developer will install a curb extension at Chestnut Avenue and Antoinette Lane to create a visible crosswalk for pedestrians. The crosswalks at the intersection of El Camino Real, Chestnut Avenue and Westborough Boulevard also will be upgraded.