A development coming to South San Francisco has been met with some criticism from local biotechnology companies. The California Life Sciences Association, which represents many of the biotech companies in the state, fears that the proposal to build 1,200 housing units at Oyster Point will negatively impact the surrounding community. 

The expansive development covers 2.25 million square feet and the association is concerned that the project will worsen traffic congestion, violate current zoning laws, and impede the continued growth of the biotech industry. With members such as Genentech, Gilead, and Amgen, the group believes the area east of Highway 101 does not have the resources to support such a large housing development. 

The developer disagrees, claiming the project’s housing component would actually ease traffic congestion by bringing homes to a thriving job hub, according to the SM Daily Journal.

Oyster Point recently broke ground on the first construction phase. The plan is to build 1,191 rental and for-sale residences ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, along with 1.5 million square feet of research and development space for biotechnology companies.