RFQ For Affordable Ownership Housing at 905 Linden Ave

The City of South San Francisco is seeking qualified candidates to develop a City-owned, former redevelopment agency (RDA) parcel located at 905 Linden Ave (APN 012-101-100) in South San Francisco as a 100% affordable ownership townhome project. The parcel is 11,580 sq. ft. in size (approximately 0.27 acres) and is currently vacant green space. The City’s former RDA acquired the Property in 1999. As the RDA successor agency, the City now wishes to see it developed for affordable housing purposes.

Project Objectives

The City wishes to facilitate the provision of affordable ownership housing in this location and is willing to consider a range of townhome configurations suitable for the community and neighborhood character. The City estimates the site could support 8-11 dwelling units.

The City’s objectives for the townhome development are:

• Affordable homeownership opportunities for households who live, have lived, or work in the City (please refer to the City’s Local Preference Policy )
• Timely and cost-efficient delivery
• Financial and operationally sustainable for future homeowners
• Attractive and compatible with the character of the neighborhood

Location

The Property is located at 905 Linden Ave between Armour Ave and Hillside Boulevard. It is situated within a High-Quality Transit Area , as described in Public Resources Code 21155, 21064.3, and 21060.2, and is in close proximity to downtown South San Francisco, the US 101, and the South San Francisco Caltrain Station. The property is adjacent to multiple SamTrans bus routes as well as the City’s free bus shuttle service that connects the Linden Corridor to the City’s downtown, BART station, and other frequently visited destinations.

Site Characteristics

The Property is approximately 11,580 square feet and is currently vacant green space. Prior to the City’s former RDA acquiring the property in 1999, the property hosted a gas station from 1946 until 1998, when gas station was demolished, and all underground storage tanks were removed. The site has since undergone numerous studies, environmental remediations, and monitoring activities to ensure the site poses no environmental health risks in the event of redevelopment.

In 2024, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued a No Further Action letter certifying 905 Linden Ave to require no further investigation or remedial action. This letter clears the City to sell the property with unrestricted land use. However, proposed redevelopment is still subject to review by the San Mateo County Groundwater Protection Program (GGP) as stated in a 2003 case closure letter . This is because, as noted in a DTSC approved Supplemental Site Investigation Report , there may still be residual contaminants at a depth that could pose a risk to construction/utility workers. However, the report emphasizes that these “hazards from residual TPH impacted soil can be readily mitigated during redevelopment by new construction and hardscape as well as implementation of a Soil Management Plan."

Please refer to the property’s case files with the DTSC and the State Water Resources Board , which provide summaries and all relevant environmental documentation conducted to date at the site.

The City is currently conducting NEPA environmental review for an affordable housing development at the site in accordance with 24 CFR Part 58 .

Property Development Standards

The 905 Linden Ave property is zoned as Downtown Residential-Medium (DRM) and specified as “Medium Density Residential” in the City’s General Plan . Please refer to Table 20.080.003, column “DRM” of the City’s Zoning Code for applicable development standards.

Land Transfer

The City intends to transfer ownership of the property to the selected developer in accordance with an agreed disposition schedule with the selected developer.

City Subsidy

The City may be able to provide gap funding as necessary for the project at the discretion of the City Council of South San Francisco and other relevant approving bodies. Financial commitment for subsidies will not be made until the NEPA review is completed and may require the developer to follow additional federal funding requirements.