New state law paves way for 30-unit townhome development in Atherton
Glenwood Avenue project taps SB79, which allows multifamily housing near transit stops
AlphaX RE Capital submitted a preliminary application for a 30-unit townhome development at 110 Glenwood Ave. in Atherton, near Nativity School. Renderings show what one of the five-unit buildings may look like. Courtesy town of Atherton.
Atherton, a town known for single-family homes on spacious lots, could soon see a proposed 30-unit townhome development. A Cupertino-based developer submitted a preliminary application that takes advantage of a new state law that allows denser housing near transit.
On July 9, AlphaX RE Capital Inc. filed an application under Senate Bill 79 to replace a single-family home on a 1-acre lot at 110 Glenwood Ave. with five townhome buildings totaling 30 units, with six of them designated affordable units. The proposed buildings would be three stories and up to 45 feet tall.
SB 79, which took effect July 1, requires cities to allow multifamily housing near transit stations. In Atherton, sites within a quarter-mile of a transit stop can build housing up to 75 feet tall, up to 120 units per acre and with building space equal to 3.5 times the lot size.
In addition to two five-unit buildings, the plans for 110 Glenwood Ave. include one 10-unit building. Courtesy town of Atherton.
While the Atherton Caltrain station has been closed for years and does not qualify under the law, seven parcels in Atherton are within a quarter-mile of the Menlo Park Caltrain station’s pedestrian access.
The Glenwood Avenue site sits at the corner of Glenwood and Laurel Street, near Nativity School, in a neighborhood of single-family homes.
Of the six affordable units, three would be restricted to households earning less than 50% of the area median income (AMI), and three would be reserved for households earning between 80% and 120% of AMI, according to the preliminary application. In 2026, the AMI for a family of four is $200,800.
Town officials said the application is in the early stages of review.
According to its website, AlphaX RE Capital is a Bay Area real estate investment firm that builds and manages properties. The firm says it manages more than $500 million in assets and has built more than 1,000 units. The Glenwood property is owned by Eraline LLC, which shares a registered address with AlphaX.
AlphaX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.