San Diego Planning Commission Approves Alante Project in Carmel Mountain Ranch

After a long meeting listening to residents’ concerns and comments, the San Diego Planning Commission decided to approve a new four-story, 70,595 square-foot multi-family residential development located at 10211 Rancho Carmel Drive.

The Alante Project will be developed on top of an existing two-story 75 space park-and-ride facility and include 50 residential units, of which 15 units will be designated as affordable for low- to moderate-income households. Of the affordable housing being developed, five units will be designated at 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), five units at 80% AMI, and five units at 120% AMI. Even though the project is located within the existing Parking Standards Transit Priority Area, which does not require parking, the project will retain 58 parking spaces, while creating five new motorcycle spaces, and 22 bicycle spaces.

New Pointe Communities, Inc., which is developing the project, entered a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) with the City to purchase the land. Subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the PSA, in order to obtain the necessary entitlements and construction permits to develop the project, the developer is required to include affordable housing units. In return, the Planning Commission approved a resolution on August 15, 2019, which authorized initiating an amendment to the Carmel Mountain Ranch Community Plan to re-designate the site from low medium density residential to high density residential to allow the construction of up to 48 residential units. 

Due to the affordable residential units in the new development, the project qualifies as a State Density Bonus project. City staff determined that the project would not substantially change the nature of the surrounding area and would not introduce any barriers or project features that could physically divide the community.

Architects BP Associates will design a contemporary building with extensive articulation, including reveals, flat roofs, balconies, railings, and varied facade materials. The exterior materials include white painted stucco, grey painted trim, grey horizontal cement board siding, vinyl windows, clear anodized glazed overhead metal doors, and black glazed metal railing that will contribute to a sense of quality and permanence, consistent with a positive neighborhood character.