An eight-story mixed-use building with 94 apartments and ground-floor retail space is headed to the San Mateo City Council after the Planning Commission voted 5-0 on June 9 to recommend approval.

The project at 616 S. B St. would replace one-story commercial buildings on a 0.64-acre lot bounded by 6th and 7th avenues. If the council signs off, the block between those two cross streets will gain roughly 7,300 square feet of new commercial space at street level and 114 parking spaces below the residential floors.

Ten of the 94 for-rent units would be reserved for very-low-income households. Those 10 units represent 15% of the site's base density of 64 units, qualifying the project for a density bonus under California law. That bonus lets the developer exceed the site's baseline zoning, which caps density at 4–6 stories and 51–99 units per acre.

Evan Sockalosky, a partner and design director at Arc Tec Inc., is the applicant. Sockalosky has more than 24 years of experience in mixed-use and commercial design, according to his profile on Mecah Ventures' website.

A previous application for the same parcel won Planning Commission approval in December 2023, but the current filing, PA-2025-039, is a separate submittal. The city deemed the latest plans complete on April 22 after a resubmittal on March 26, according to the city's planning portal.

Residents who live or work along the B Street corridor would also see the project contribute to several city funds through development impact fees covering parks, schools, transportation improvements, child care and wastewater capacity.

Amenities for future tenants include a fitness center, community room and fourth-floor terrace.

The project now moves to a City Council public hearing. No date for that hearing has been posted. Residents can contact Associate Planner Liz Gagliardi at (650) 522-7206 for updates or to submit comments.