Black Mountain is a showcase community that complements the unique nature of the existing site while providing much-needed housing. The sustainable design approach and high-performance homes benefit residents with comfortable spaces to live, work and play.
Frequently Asked Questions
The team has completed and continues to undertake multiple studies of all aspects of the project to ensure any issues or opportunities are proactively identified and addressed in the project plans. A summary of key items are below. Please let us know if you have additional questions via email at 808alameda@veev.com.
Natural Environment
What studies have you done or plan to do on the environmental impact of the project?
The City of San Carlos has selected an independent consultant to conduct a full environmental impact report (EIR). The draft EIR will be available for public review and comment when completed, which we expect to be in Q3 2021.
What are the open space and landscaping plans?
More than half of the property is planned as open space. The landscaping incorporates nature trails, bio-retention areas, planted drainage channels, overlooks and recreation areas. The goal is to create an open and natural landscape for the benefit of residents and guests - both people and animals.
What is the plan for the trees?
The plan is to retain multiple heritage tree groves and to add new trees, bushes and grasses. We plan to remove most of the eucalyptus trees to reduce potential hazards. Our goal is to retain as many heritage trees as possible given the requirements and constraints of the site (e.g., mandatory road widths, utility access easements) balanced with the goal of reducing fire danger.
What is the plan for the natural spring?
There is an existing tunnel and underground infrastructure related to the spring, which we plan to backfill and reinforce for safety prior to construction above, while allowing water to continue to flow.
Are there any endangered species on the property?
A specialist consultant found that no threatened or endangered wildlife species were observed on‐site or have the potential to occur on‐site.
What is the stormwater management plan?
The site is divided into multiple separate drainage management areas (DMA) with a variety of elements planned to manage stormwater including flow-through planters, pervious surfaces, bio-retention areas, vegetated swales and stormwater drainage system.
Built Environment
What types of buildings are you proposing?
The buildings will be townhouses, each three stories tall including a two-car garage with a green rooftop deck. They are designed as three- to four-bedrooms each in clusters of four to five attached buildings placed throughout the property.
Is the site safe to build on?
The current plans are informed by significant due diligence studies completed by Dragonfly Group-retained consultants including: soils & geological, environmental, biological, trees, natural spring and tunnel, cultural resources and transportation & parking. The City of San Carlos has selected a separate independent consultant to conduct a full environmental impact report (EIR), which will further inform the final design. Our goal is to ensure that the entire project is designed to be sustainable and resilient.
When do you expect to start construction and how long will it last?
We hope to begin construction by Q3 2020 and would expect to complete the majority of construction by Q4 2021. This schedule is contingent on many factors including approval of the project.
What are your plans for minimizing disruption to the neighbors during construction?
Our off-site construction plan will significantly reduce traffic, noise and time compared to typical wood-frame residential construction. By building the walls in our factory and then shipping them to the site for installation, the number and duration of workers on-site is significantly reduced, along with the associated car trips and construction noise. In addition, the overall construction time is much less, as the wall fabrication can happen at the same time as the foundation and site work, whereas typically framing work has to wait until the foundation and site is ready.
Will there be a homeowners association (HOA) to manage the development?
Transportation
What is the traffic management plan?
We have designed the development to encourage alternate modes of transit including walking, biking, public transportation or any new mode of transit that reduces single occupancy car travel (e.g., carpool, ride share, electric scooters/bikes/skateboards). The plan includes amenities for public bus, pedestrian safety, bikes and easier connections to surrounding neighborhoods as well as subsidized transit passes and on-site transit amenities.
Will there be guest parking?
Will residents have access to public transit?
We are planning to create two new bus stops for SAMTrans Route 61 near the entrance to the property on Alameda de las Pulgas. Currently, Route 61 runs between the San Carlos Caltrain Station and Carlmont High School on school days only, running northbound during the morning and southbound during the afternoon. Additionally, Route 295 stops on both sides of San Carlos Avenue at its intersection with Phelps Road, which is less than a mile from the property. This route operates northbound and southbound three times between 7:00-9:00 a.m. and three times between 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Caltrain station is less than a mile-and-a-half away.
Will you be providing a private commuter shuttle?
We are not currently planning to provide a dedicated commuter shuttle for this development solely. We are interested in exploring a shared commuter shuttle in partnership with neighbors and/or the City if this would be a highly utilized service.
Will the street be public or private?
Public Services
What types of buildings are you proposing?
The buildings will be townhouses, each three stories tall including a two-car garage with a green rooftop deck. They are designed as three- to four-bedrooms each in clusters of four to five attached buildings placed throughout the property.
Is the site safe to build on?
The current plans are informed by significant due diligence studies completed by Dragonfly Group-retained consultants including: soils & geological, environmental, biological, trees, natural spring and tunnel, cultural resources and transportation & parking. The City of San Carlos has selected a separate independent consultant to conduct a full environmental impact report (EIR), which will further inform the final design. Our goal is to ensure that the entire project is designed to be sustainable and resilient.
When do you expect to start construction and how long will it last?
We hope to begin construction by Q3 2020 and would expect to complete the majority of construction by Q4 2021. This schedule is contingent on many factors including approval of the project.
What are your plans for minimizing disruption to the neighbors during construction?
Our off-site construction plan will significantly reduce traffic, noise and time compared to typical wood-frame residential construction. By building the walls in our factory and then shipping them to the site for installation, the number and duration of workers on-site is significantly reduced, along with the associated car trips and construction noise. In addition, the overall construction time is much less, as the wall fabrication can happen at the same time as the foundation and site work, whereas typically framing work has to wait until the foundation and site is ready.
Will there be a homeowners association (HOA) to manage the development?