Charleston Plaza
Reimagined
2024 Gatekeeper Application
2400-2470 E. Charleston Road,
Mountain View, CA 94043
June 27, 2024
Attachment 6
1.1 1.2
1.3 Existing Conditions & Connections
Site Opportunities & Constraints
Project Summary
2 Charleston Plaza Reimagined
2.1 2.2
2.3 2.4
2.5 Vision
Site Design Principles
Illustrative Site Plan
Public Outdoor Amenities
Engagning Neighborhood
Amenities
4 5
6 8
9 10
11 12
3.1 3.2
3.3 3.4
3.5 3.6
E. Charleston Gateway
Greenway
Community Plaza
Public Park
North Entry & Dog Park
District Heart
14 15
16 17
18 19
Project Team
Sponsor Presidio Bay Ventures
Urban Design Gehl Studio
Landscape Architect CMG Landscape Architects
Civil Engineer BKF Engineers
Transportation Consultant Hexagon Transportation Consultants Fiscal Impact Analysis Economic and Planning Systems
Arborist HortScience
Entitlement Consultant Kerry M. Williams Consulting, LLC 1 Existing Conditions
Contents
4.1 4.2
4.3 4.4
4.5 Vehicular Access + Shared Parking
Strategy
Pedestrian + Bike Circulation Plan
Street Typologies
E. Charleston Road Improvements
Sustainability Strategies
21 22
23 24
25 4 Mobility & Sustainability
3 Project Experience
Introduction to
Charleston Plaza
1 1.1
1.2 1.3
Existing Conditions & Connections
Site Opportunities & Constraints
Project Summary
4Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
1.1 Existing Conditions
and Connections
Charleston Plaza is situated between
Highway 101 and E. Charleston Road on the
northern boundary of Mountain View and
Palo Alto. Access to Highway 101 via San
Antonio Road is located just ½ mile
northwest of the site, and via Rengstorff
Avenue is about ¼ mile to the southeast.
The site is connected by transit by the 104
bus line on E. Charleston Road.
The Mountain View Caltrain Station is a 12
minute drive or 20 minute bike ride away.
Ramos Park
18 min. Walk
Mitchell Park
8 min. bike
24 min. walk
Cubberley
Community
Center Field
14 min. Walk
Googleplex
10 mins bike
8 min. drive
Shoreline
Athletic Field
28 min. Walk
Bay Point Park
and Amphitheatre
13 min. bike
Shoreline Lake
8 min. bike
SITE
Industrial Ave
Bayshore Freeway
E. Charleston Rd E. Charleston Rd
Old Middlefield Way
San Antonio Rd
N Shoreline Blvd
Site Boundary
15 mins Walkshed
10 mins Bike Ride
Bus Route
Dedicated Bike Lane (Class I + II)
Shared Bike Lane (Class III)
Highway Access
Bus Stop
Bus Route
Rengstorff Ave
A
Legend
1 Existing Conditions
City of Mountain View
City of Palo Alto
Google North
Bayshore
Campus
15 min.
walk
10 min.
bike
Sierra Vista Ave
5Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
1.2 Site Opportunities and
Constraints
1 Existing Conditions
Big-Box
retail
Formula
Retail
Industrial Ave
Bayshore Freeway
E Charleston Rd
Independence Ave
Current site conditions
Planned closure of
on-ramp from E.
Charleston Road
will reduce traffic
along property
frontage.
Michael’s
Costco
Allen Garage Door
Repair Inc.
Peninsula
Building Materials
Intuit + Google
Surface
Parking
San Antonio Rd
Noise from
Freeway
Opportunities to
improve safety and
comfort for
pedestrians and bikes
on E. Charleston Road.
City Utility
Easement
Site Opportunities
● Transform vacant big-box stores into a
mixed use community with residences,
advanced workspace, vibrant retail and
lush open space.
● Improve bike and pedestrian safety on
E. Charleston Road.
● Mitigate the risks associated with sea
level rise and enhance the overall.
resilience and sustainability of the area.
● Improve visibility from Highway 101 to
draw visitors.
Site Constraints
● City sewer utility easements along the
north, center and east of the site.
● Noise from the Bayshore Freeway.
Visibility from
101 Freeway
Transport St
1,000 - 1,600 units
planned in adjacent
E. Charleston
industrial area
City of Mountain View
City of Palo Alto
6Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Project Information
Industrial /
Regional Commercial
High Intensity Office
Light Industrial
Mixed use
City of
Mountain View
City of
Palo Alto
Bayshore Freeway
E. Charleston Rd
Legend
Program GSF/Unit Count
Residential 450 Units Total - 15% BMR (68 units)
- 350 Apartment Homes
16.5% BMR (58 units)
- 100 Condominiums
10% BMR (10 units)
Office, administrative,
corporate, research
and development
450,000 GSF
Retail for General
Merchandise*
30,000 GSF
Community Spaces** 7,500 GSF
*Precise use of proposed retail space is unknown at this time. For the purposes of the parking calculations, the proposed retail component was assumed to be retail stores for general merchandise. **Precise use of proposed community space is unknown at this time.
For the purposes of the parking calculations, the proposed community component was assumed the same as commercial use.
Project Location 2400 – 2470 E. Charleston Road,
Mountain View, CA, 94043
APN 147-02-017, -018, -019
Project Area 10.98 acres*
*0.66 acres (APN 147-02-017)
located within the City of Palo Alto
Existing Uses Warehouse Retail, Retail
Existing GSF 139,721 GSF
Current General
Plan Designation
Industrial / Regional Commercial
Intensity 0.50 FAR
Height Guideline Up to 3 Stories
Current Zoning
Designation
(MM) General Industrial
Allowable FAR 0.35 for Industrial, Office,
Warehouse Retail
Existing Land Use and Zoning
General Plan
Designation
Mixed-use Center
*With modification to allow FAR
increase for Office/R&D/Commercial
Zoning
Designation
Planned Community District (P)
Intensity Mixed-Use: 2.35 FAR, of which up to
1.0 FAR can be Office/R&D or Commercial
Height Guideline Residential - up to 7 stories**
Office/R&D - up to 8 stories
**Height may be increased
at Council discretion
Allowed Land
Uses
Office and ancillary commercial, Light
industrial, light manufacturing, start-up
businesses and appropriate commercial
and industrial uses, Retail and personal
services, Multi-family Residential,
Entertainment, Parks and Plazas
Proposed Land Use and Zoning Proposed Program Table
Proposed Parking Table
Program Parking Ratio
Residential 1.0
0.5 spaces per unit (MR)
spaces per unit (BMR)
Office, administrative,
corporate, research
and development
2.25 spaces per 1,000 GSF
Retail for General
Merchandise*
4.0 spaces per 1,000 GSF
Community Spaces** 2.25 spaces per 1,000 GSF
1 Existing Conditions
1.3 Project Summary
Total Project Area:
449,539 SF
(10.98 ACRES)
Charleston Plaza
Reimagined
2 2.1
2.2 2.3
2.4 2.5
Vision
Site Design Principles
Illustrative Site Plan
Public Outdoor Amenities
Engaging Neighborhood Amenities
8Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Create a unique mixed-use destination
for shopping and dining
Public open spaces engage the
Mountain View community
Diversify Mountain View’s economic
base by attracting advanced industries
Add to Mountain View’s critically
needed housing supply
At Charleston Plaza, we envision a vibrant,
forward-thinking hub where social connection,
livability, and inclusivity converge to create an
unparalleled neighborhood experience. Our
holistic approach aims to foster belonging,
inspire positive change, and drive long-term
economic vitality and community enrichment.
With the goal to set an example for walkable,
mixed-use developments, Presidio Bay
Ventures is dedicated to enhancing the
quality of life for all residents, employees,
and visitors. Together, we will build a thriving,
resilient community that sets the standard
for sustainable and inclusive urban living in
Mountain View and beyond.
2 Charleston Plaza Reimagined
2.1 Vision
9Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
1 4 5 6
2.2 Site Design Principles
2 Charleston Plaza Reimagined
2 3
Functional Perimeter,
Memorable Core
Perimeter streets optimize
flow so the core can stay
sticky for people
Edges For Neighbors
Edges are social eddies that
foster neighborhood bonds
Play along the way
Playscapes are integrated
into the existing public
network, for all ages
Contrast Tones
Every active node is a step
away from a moment of
respite
Community Platform A
diverse ecosystem of retail
and community amenities
create a district heart
1 4
5 6
2 3
Functional Perimeter,
Memorable Core
Edges For Neighbors
Play along the way
Contrast Tones
Connection to Nature
Community Platform
Transport St.
Bayshore Freeway
E. Charleston Rd
Connection to Nature
A green park network
weaves the district together
from E. Charleston Road to
Transport Street
10Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
2.3 Illustrative Site Plan
Charleston Plaza presents an opportunity to
revitalize a large, underutilized, big-box retail
center, into a dynamic mixed-use live-
work-play destination that will foster the
growth of advanced technologies, provide
much needed housing, and bring the
community together through lively new retail
and entertainment offerings surrounding public
spaces.
The public space network is comprised of a
series of lush, green parks and plazas that
weave through the site to create a vibrant hub
of activity while enhancing urban biodiversity
with a range of flora and fauna.
Vibrant community heart
Welcoming neighborhood greenway
Comfortable complete streets
Transport St.
Bayshore Freeway
E. Charleston Rd
2 Charleston Plaza Reimagined
1 3
4 6
5 7
E. Charleston Gateway
Greenway
Community Plaza
Public Park
Community Courtyard
Dog Park
Neighborhood Walking Path Paseo
Rooftop Overlook
8 Residential
Office/R&D
Parking Garage
Retail
2 10
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
11Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Retail
Residential
Office/R&D
Community
Parking Garage
2.4 Public Outdoor
Amenities
2 1
9 6
6 Charleston Plaza will provide 1 acre of public
open space which will be privately owned,
publicly accessible ("POPA"). The parks and
opens spaces will be programmed for all age
groups and activated through community
events.
The landscape design utilizes practices
including rewilding, biodiversity, ecology
resilience and climate adaption to create
sustainable green spaces.
Playscape for all ages and abilities
Hardscape Event Plaza
Tree Grove
Amphitheater Seating
Multifunctional Lawn
Shaded Seating Areas
Outdoor Ping-Pong
Shaded Pedestrian Walking Path
Dog Park
Native Planting
Public Art
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 2 Charleston Plaza Reimagined
4 Flexible plaza with active edges
Natural planting palette
Multipurpose park
18 7
5 9
8 3
11 10 10
10 11
6 11
8 10
Transport St.
Bayshore Freeway
Child Care
Center
8 11
E. Charleston Rd
12Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
2.5 Engaging
Neighborhood Amenities
Proposed neighborhood amenities will build on
existing neighborhood needs and assets.
Local community amenities to make Charleston
Plaza a destination:
● Public park
● Community plaza
● Childcare
● Public parking
● Incubator space
● Outdoor events
● Community cultural programming
● Experiential retail
● Public art
Neighborhood Amenities for Charleston Plaza to
become a convenient place to live, work and play:
● Dog park
● Neighborhood services
● Grocery market
● Pop-ups
● Rooftop overlook
● Enhanced pedestrian and bike connectivity
● Fitness
● Walkable dining and shopping
● Access to open space
● Walking paths
● Bike repair
2 Charleston Plaza Reimagined
Dog park
Neighborhood park
Rooftop overlook - public amenity on garage rooftop Childcare and family-friendly programming Neighborhood-serving retail
Outdoor programming
Community Amenities Neighborhood Amenities
Charleston
Experience
3 3.1
3.2 3.3
3.4 3.5
3.6 E. Charleston Gateway
Greenway
Community Plaza
Public Park
North Entry & Dog Park
District Heart
14Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Protected bikewayShaded dining al frescoDynamic retail gateway 3 Charleston Experience
dc
3.1 E. Charleston Gateway
E. Charleston Gateway is the entrance to
the district - it offers a glimpse into the
heart of the project, and draws visitors
from the Mountain View community to
visit Charleston Plaza.
b
a
a
b
c
d
E. Charleston Rd
Update
e
e
a
Curated Retail
Public Art
Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing
Protected Bikeway
E. Charleston Rd Complete Street
aa
b
c
d
e
15Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Play featuresWelcoming public seating
Complete street with trees and furnishings
3.2 Greenway
Charleston Greenway is the start of the
park network that weaves through the
project. The linear park integrates
playscapes for children and adults,
shaded seating, a protected bikeway and
active retail edges to create a dynamic
invitation for the district.
Protected Bikeway
Linear Park
Biodiverse Landscaping
Wide Sidewalks
Outdoor Dining
Public Parking
a
ba
c
d
e
ba
d e
f
a
c
d
b
3 Charleston Experience
f
c
e
16Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Event-friendly Plaza
Amphitheater Seating
Outdoor Dining
Privately owned, publicly
accessible open space (POPA)
Resident Amenity Courtyard
aa
b
c
d
e
3.3 Community Plaza
The Community Plaza provides a flexible
place for everyday gatherings, special
events and regular public programming.
Active throughout the day and evening,
the plaza is the buzzing heart of
Charleston Plaza.
a
b
d
e
Indoor-outdoor diningInformal gathering spacesVibrant Plaza for programmed events a
b
c
e
3 Charleston Experience
d
c
17Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Naturalistic playscapesTerraced seating and picnic lawn
3.4 Public Park
The Public Park is the place to gather with
friends and family to picnic, play, or attend
a community event. Shade-bearing trees,
sculptural playscapes, and vibrant shops
and restaurants create a dynamic and
inviting open space for all.
ba
dc
e
a
b e
Indoor-outdoor spaces
3 Charleston Experience
c
Shaded Multi-purpose Zones
Playscape for all ages and abilities
Neighborhood Services
Experiential Retail
Public Parking
Rooftop Overlook
aa
b
c
d
e
d
f
f
18Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
On-site Childcare
Enhanced Streetscape Design
Dog Park
Connection to Palo Alto
a
a
b
c
d
The north entry to the project is anchored
by the childcare center and dog park - key
community amenities. The project invites
neighbors in with safe and comfortable
complete streets, community-serving retail,
and the north end of the parks network
that weaves through the district.
Lush landscapingDog park Welcoming ground floors
3.5 North Entry & Dog Park
d
a
b b
c
b
c
d
a
3 Charleston Experience
c
19Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
Community Plaza
Public Park
Children’s Playground
Dog Park
Mixed-use Courtyard Terrace
aa
b
c
d
e
b
a
d
The district heart encompasses the Public
Park, Community Plaza, and Dog Park via
the mixed-use courtyard. Buildings
surrounding the community heart step
back from the heart to enhance solar
access, create an additional green
courtyard level, and shelter the public
spaces from noise, wind, and heat.
3.6 District Heart
Moments of respite Courtyard amenities expand open space access e
e
c
b
d
a
Public-private ground floors
e
3 Charleston Experience
c
Mobility &
Sustainability
4 4.1
4.2 4.3
4.4 4.5
Vehicular Access + Shared Parking Strategy
Pedestrian + Bike Circulation Plan
Street Typologies
E. Charleston Road Improvements
Sustainability Strategies
21Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
4.1 Vehicular Access
+ Shared Parking Strategy
Vehicular access
Emergency lane
Site Access
Public Parking
Public Parking Entrance
Resident & Tenant Parking
Resident & Tenant Parking
Entrance
A shared parking strategy will be implemented
to allow for multiple uses to share on-site
facilities and to maximize efficiencies in the
parking supply. This is accomplished through
parking management and controls that allow
for different types of users to access the
facilities during peak and off-peak hours.
Parking will be distributed as follows:
2 story
residential
garage
2 story
residential
garage
2 story
residential
garage
2 story
commercial
garage
2 story
commercial
garage
7-story retail,
commercial,
residential, and
public garage
2 story
residential
garage
* Parking proposal is conceptual and subject to
review by City during entitlement process.
Transport St.
Bayshore Freeway
Program Parking
Count
Parking Ratio
Residential 382
34 1.0
0.5 spaces per unit (MR)
spaces per unit (BMR)
Commercial, Office,
administrative,
corporate, research
and development,
community
1,029 2.25 spaces per 1,000 GSF
Retail for General
Merchandise
120 4.0 spaces per 1,000 GSF
Total Parking 1,565 spaces
21 4 Mobility & Sustainability
E. Charleston Rd
22Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
4.2 Pedestrian +
Bike Circulation Plan
Street design will prioritize safe pedestrian
and bike travel by limiting vehicles on-site to
perimeter streets. This will provide easy
access to all blocks while reserving the heart
of the district for people to enjoy and linger.
Paths and bikeways will help complete the
planned networks in Mountain View,
encouraging more local walking and biking.
Proposed Class II
bike route on E.
Charleston Road
2-way bicycle path adjacent to greenway
Share Row
Bike storage
Pedestrians
& Bikes Only
Transport St.
Bayshore Freeway
SITE
Source: Conceptual Bike Network Map based on City of
Mountain View Bicycle Transportation Plan Update (2015) 22 4 Mobility & Sustainability
Site Location
Existing Class I Multi-Use Trail
Existing Class II Bike Lane
Existing Class III Bike Route
Existing Bicycle Boulevard
Proposed Class I Multi-Use
Trail
Proposed Class II Bike Lane
Proposed Class II Buffered
Bikeway
Proposed Class III Bike Route
Proposed Protected and/or
Buffered Bikeway
Proposed Bicycle Boulevard
Proposed Class IV Cycle Track
*Residential Units comprised of 350 rental units, of
which 15% are affordable (53 units); and 100
for-sale units, comprised of stacked flat
condominiums, of with 10% are affordable (10
units).
Pedestrian & Bike
Only Zone
Pedestrian Path
Protected Bike Lane
Bike Route
Primary Entry E. Charleston Rd
23Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
4.3 Street Typologies
Three street typologies will prioritize
pedestrians and cyclists while ensuring
intuitive vehicular circulation. Each street
typology includes integrated landscaping
zones to provide a comfortable pedestrian
experience, as well as short-term parking and
loading for ease of access district-wide.
Charleston Greenway
Neighborhood Street
Access Street Neighborhood Street
1 1
2 3
2 3
4 Mobility & Sustainability
Access Street
Charleston Greenway
24Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
4.4 E. Charleston Road
Improvements
E. Charleston Road is the gateway to the new
community at Charleston Plaza.
The project will improve conditions for active
transportation along E. Charleston Road by
widening public sidewalks, creating a
protected bikeway, and integrating street trees
to support the City’s adopted transportation
plans.
The project will also incorporate improvements
to enhance accessibility and safety for bikes
and pedestrians crossing E. Charleston Rd at
the intersection with Independence Ave.
VTA Bus Stop
Existing Property Line
Section
E. Charleston Road Proposed Streetscape Improvements
Enlarged Plan
E. Charleston Road proposed streetscape improvements and intersection upgrades to improve accessibility, efficiency and safe crossings.
E. Charleston Rd
60’ Passenger
loading zone
E. Charleston Road existing conditions (4’ sidewalk)
12’
Sidewalk + Planting
4 Mobility & Sustainability
Existing PL
25Charleston Plaza | Gatekeeper Application
4.5 Sustainability
Strategies
The project will meet state of the art standards
for building design and construction
encompassing sustainability, tenant wellness
and climate resiliency. The project will target
LEED Gold, WELL Certification, USRC,
Fitwell, GBAC, Energy Star Rating.
Open spaces will be designed and landscaped
thoughtfully, with biodiversity, comfort, and
sustainability in mind. For instance, selected
tree and plant species will be resilient,
drought-tolerant, non-invasive, and tolerant of
urban conditions. The project will incorporate
dark sky measures for lighting, and the
principles of landscape rewilding to restore
and enhance natural ecosystems in the urban
environment through thoughtful plant
selection, careful maintenance practices, and
diverse species integration.
There are 21 heritage trees within the project
boundary, all of which are Coast Redwoods.
The proposed site plan would potentially allow
19 of these trees to be protected and
preserved. A complete tree protection and
preservation plan will be prepared
during the entitlement process.
The open spaces will be designed with
four key principles in mind:
1. Cohesive Open Space Network
2. Public and Welcoming
3. Variety of Scales and Uses
4. Integrated Infrastructure
Open spaces will be designed and
landscaped thoughtfully, with
biodiversity, comfort, and sustainability
in mind. For instance, selected tree and
plant species will be resilient,
drought-tolerant, non-invasive, and
tolerant of urban conditions. The project
will also incorporate dark sky measures
for lighting.
There are 21 heritage trees within the
project boundary, all of which are Coast
Redwoods. The proposed site plan
would potentially allow 19 of these trees
to be protected and preserved.
Diverse palette of native and drought-tolerant species Landscape to enhance resiliency Biophilic design enhances user wellness
Rooftops will house solar panels to power a
significant portion of the development.
EV charging stations within all parking structures.
Protection and preservation of heritage trees
Update
4 Mobility & Sustainability
Thank you!
Contact us at
[email protected]