Moraga Planning Commission, Mar 11, 2025
The commission approved design review, a grading plan and a density bonus for a 4-story, 49-unit senior affordable apartment building on a vacant lot on Park Street, with amended conditions of approval.
2 h 13 min in session · date on the body’s own agenda listing
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Posted as “Planning Commission Special Meeting March 11, 2025”
The meeting, in short
The commission approved design review, a grading plan and a density bonus for a 4-story, 49-unit senior affordable apartment building on a vacant lot on Park Street, with amended conditions of approval. 3:18
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What members said, in order
It's more of a confirmation. And, uh, uh, number one here on the questions from the plan— uh, from the planning commissioners. So it's my understanding that our role as planning commissioners is to review, uh, um, or really is to consider the design review, the grading permit, and the density bonus applications, and that's it? Those 3 items?Marcus Bode · Commissioner26:05
The only question I have is in regards to this letter that came in after, um, you know, that we're presented with today from Cinema West and this declaration of establishment of restrictions and grants and how that interacts with— how that impacts this— sorry, how that impacts this proposal today, our project.Alexis Mapel · Vice Chair26:45
I had some questions circling around here somewhere. Clarification on the mitigation measures, um, as to whether or not the town double-checks, um, all of those mitigation measures for compliance prior to giving a certificate of occupancy.Brenda Luster · Commissioner27:36
This might be more for the applicant, but wondering if there is something specific to the upkeep of the property, specifically keeping the, um, it's black metal railings, right, on the outside, keeping those painted regularly. Can we be that specific on, um, conditions of approval, I guess?Brenda Luster · Commissioner29:23
Is in terms of, because there are so many visible balconies, um, are there restrictions that can be put on what is hung on balconies, signage, things like that that's public-facing?Alexis Mapel · Vice Chair30:30
They're conducted so that you assess all possible environmental issues at the time when you're designing your project, and there's the hope that you can mitigate as much as possible. That's the hope of the EIR. It's not to kill a project ever.Brenda Luster · Commissioner1:08:04
I wanted to make sure we got through those. And okay, um, uh, I'm not even sure where I would start on the issue of the fire hazard and safety. I know that we would want California to make laws that are reasonable and logical, and that is not happening.Brenda Luster · Commissioner1:10:47
Really quick clarification, actually, in terms of the density bonus, because that is state law as well. I'm wondering exactly what approval is required or why we would have to approve that specifically when it's already approved by law. Or can you clarify for me?Brenda Luster · Commissioner1:13:33
In terms of Zone 0 and keeping plantings away from the face of the building, it looks like you have a plan here for a lot of plants directly touching the outside of the building.Alexis Mapel · Vice Chair1:14:59
I doubt we could get that below grade, but if there was a way we could do a subsurface transformer versus a pad-mounted transformer, that would be awesome. But I don't know how realistic that request is.Ben Helber · Commissioner1:26:43
The reason why I asked is I didn't see anywhere for a large bank of gas meters, and that's another thing that we've learned that comes in at the end sometimes is they said, oh, by the way, we need to put a huge bank of gas meters, and that changes the natural aesthetic of a building.Ben Helber · Commissioner1:28:41
Are there spots outside of the handicap spaces that would be reserved for a resident who had extra needs?Alexis Mapel · Vice Chair1:37:56
What is the plan for keeping the property up to date and the facades beautiful and painted?Brenda Luster · Commissioner1:41:36
I didn't see any indication that they needed any retaining walls. It was more of a drainage issue they want to ensure to, to keep that, and it was backed by, um, I think the town's geotechnical reviewer as well. So grading, I feel, could move forward.Brenda Luster · Commissioner1:43:57
We appreciate your comments and concerns. And I think, you know, clearly the concern of wildfire and evacuation has been heard.Alexis Mapel · Vice Chair1:46:41
Or any— I mean, my concern would be, you know, an old couch on a balcony that could potentially be a fire hazard. So something speaking to fire hazard on balconies.Alexis Mapel · Vice Chair1:59:47
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