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A 29-unit low-income/special needs housing complex leapt over its first hurdle Tuesday night, when the City Council voted unanimously to lend nonprofit developer Affordable Housing Associates $450,000 to help purchase property in the 1700 block of University Avenue. 

Councilmember Linda Maio, who lives near the property, recused herself from the vote. 

Some of the project’s neighbors had expressed concern that the development, which would include retail on the ground floor, would shadow neighboring properties, bring unsavory people to the area and remove parking for neighborhood businesses. 

But an overwhelming number of nearby residents, affordable housing advocates and the disabled community came to the meeting to ask the council for its support. 

Addressing AHA Executive Director Ali Kashani, Councilmember Diane Woolley made sure that a number of the neighbors’ concerns were specifically addressed. Kashani promised the creation of a neighborhood advisory body, which would consult on the design; that there would be trees planted between the University Avenue property and the properties behind the building; and that there would be no balconies built at the back of the building. 

Councilmember Polly Armstrong reinforced Woolley’s requests that the developer consult with the neighbors. She went on to talk about a project built nearby on the south side of University Avenue, which had brought out virulent neighborhood opposition. 

“It is peaceful, attractive, a project I would be delighted to have in my neighborhood,” she said. 

The proposed building would have 20 two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom apartments. All will be accessible to people who use wheelchairs. The project includes a service component, which could include job training. The services will be developed by the nonprofit agency Toolworks, according to the needs of people living in the building. 

Disabled tenants will be housed in at least 40 percent of the units. All of the apartments will be below market rate, with affordability ranging from those whose earnings are limited to about $900 per month, to people who earn a more moderate income of $2,000 per month.  

The project still needs to go before the Zoning Adjustment Board for its use permit. 

“I don’t think that there is anyone in Berkeley who doesn’t support affordable housing,” Armstrong said. “We have a real obligation to make it the best that we can.”