|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
An affordable, 60-unit housing project in Dublin for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has moved onto the financing stage of development, following unanimous approval of the proposal’s final project entitlement by the Dublin Planning Commission this month.
The three-story, multi-family residential project dubbed Sunflower Hill at Grace Pointe is set to include a community room, makerspace, fitness room and central courtyard with amenities and 36 parking spaces, according to a staff report prepared by Dublin senior planner Gaspare Annibale.
Of Grace Pointe’s 60 units, 59 are set to be rented at affordable rates — 30%-60% of the area median income — for people with I/DD along with one resident manager unit, according to Susan Houghton, Sunflower Hill founder and board president.
Set to be located at the northwest corner of Dublin Boulevard and Brannigan Street, Grace Pointe is part of the larger Dublin Centre project — formerly known as SCS Dublin — a four-parcel area covering 54 acres north of Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Brannigan Street, according to the staff report.
As part of the Dublin Centre project by Landsea Homes, Grace Pointe will be among a separate mixed-use development set to feature 500 residential units, 105 accessory dwelling units, approximately 38,000 square feet of retail commercial uses, a public park and a community center, according to the staff report.
Following the approval Dec. 9, Sunflower Hill must fund the approximately $48 million residential project with its partners Satellite Affordable Housing Associates and DAHLIN Group Architecture/Planning, according to Houghton.
Aiming to begin construction in 2027, with leasing in late 2028, Houghton said that Sunflower Hill will be focused on gathering funds next year for the housing project.
Once constructed, the project will help meet the rising demand for affordable housing for adults with I/DD, Houghton explained.
“We have the vision, architecture, programmatic plans and ability to execute,” Houghton told the Pleasanton Weekly. “Now we just need the financing!”
In the East Bay, there are 26,000 people with I/DD, with about 580 living in Dublin, Houghton said Dec. 9 at the meeting.
“Most folks with I/DD will live with their parents or loved ones their entire lives,” Houghton told the Weekly. “Sunflower Hill’s model provides an alternative.”
“Our community is akin to senior living — providing as much independence as desired but also providing safety and security,” Houghton said.
Given Sunflower Hill’s similar Irby Ranch residential community in Pleasanton, officials have observed consistently high demand for the housing.
Since opening in 2020, Irby Ranch has had very few vacancies, Houghton said. Meanwhile, over 130 applicants are on the waiting list to gain residence.
“We know the need is great, and we are very committed to aggressively seeking financing for this project,” Houghton said in a statement.
Thus far, Sunflower Hill has received $5 million in project funding from the city of Dublin.
Houghton is also hopeful that the organization will receive $2 million that she said was committed by Rep. Eric Swalwell, a value dependent on congressional approval of the federal budget.
Sunflower Hill officials also intend to seek financing through bonds, state tax credit allocations, county funds including Measure W, public-private partnerships as well as foundation and philanthropic donations.
Meanwhile, Sunflower Hill is also developing a 48-unit residential community in Lafayette and working with Eden Housing to dedicate 22 units to individuals with I/DD in the Francis Ranch development.
As part of the planning commission’s approval, the Grace Pointe project was permitted two “small concessions” to allow for 36 parking spaces, down from the 120 parking spaces required by standard, as well as decreased building offsets, the report states.
As a 100% affordable housing project, the applicant can reduce its parking requirement under the state density bonus law, Dublin community development director Amy Million explained at the meeting. Any concerns over the number of parking spaces cannot be considered in the commission’s vote.
But Sunflower Hill officials expect that 36 parking spaces will be sufficient because of an expected low demand. Public transportation is near the project site, less than 10% of households are expected to include drivers, many residents will be away all day at day programs and caregivers are expected to have differing schedules.
During the Dec. 9 meeting, two of the three public commenters expressed their concern over the development potentially worsening traffic congestion as well as the project’s parking concession.
Alternate Commissioner John Wu also expressed his concern about the housing development potentially causing traffic issues.
“I don’t want to see any accidents happen, especially on Dublin Boulevard,” Wu said, while also noting the benefit of the housing project for individuals with I/DD.
Alternate Commissioner Suresh Puli suggested widening the scope of the conversation about traffic.
Dublin Boulevard is set to be built up, which generally increases traffic for the whole area, Puli said.
“If we are addressing traffic, it needs to be addressed from the entire city perspective,” Puli added.
On the subject of parking and traffic, Commissioner Margaret Simuro noted that if not for Grace Pointe, an alternative housing project may require 120 parking spaces, indicating the addition of those cars to the road.
“We need more of these communities in these high-density areas,” Simuro added.
Commission Chair Wahida Rashid expressed similar sentiments in support of more housing projects for individuals with I/DD and concluded that the parking availability would be sufficient.
In addition to the project entitlement, the SCS Dublin environmental impact report was determined to cover the Grace Pointe project, requiring no further environmental review, the report states.
“This development will provide not just housing, but dignity, independence and a true sense of belonging,” Dublin Mayor Sherry Hu said in a statement after the commission’s decision. “We are proud to support a project that strengthens the heart of our city.”
Draeger’s Market closing store in Blackhawk, cites ‘declining condition’ at plazaJanuary 9, 2026 4:37 pm
Tri-Valley residents protest, mourn after ICE officer fatally shoots mother in MinneapolisJanuary 11, 2026 8:23 pm