[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6500371,"mediaKeyId","5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d","parentId",5442311,"title","Planning staff updates: Firewise mapping, ADU Accelerator funding and terrace material samples","audioSeconds",199,"startMs",2284000,"endMs",2483000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d&start=2284&end=2483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d/thumbnail_2284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6500371/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/Planning-staff-updates-Firewise-mapping-ADU-Accelerator-funding-and-terrace-material-samples","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500371-f02aaf802ea6a4f544e5ee55004e2f03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170826&Signature=KfEzUiN7VCBdoken6l50MJ2Eth1zpqZmU9Hsj7G8UTbYm8F1cPDJpQkrP2k3qIoP8EJ15ZaS5CW54y8o2PP940ZBDJ2ackm8Y6IaFGZD7ibkMAjFVFgU2t9QKUCxSB4zKkvI0EesP-nxT4yvpfCPET70ZAM9jkNx5jYSV2XZ5i-67XQPHMwILBoPGApbSSDolr5PG7z~mhmnffQLTKWWZzRjgVOna786ExdL0Gl~JXxthAR2hqbS1ggXjXGtmvke9py-QkF3j219iMp6~pEqwoQfeOBlJ4rZS4NnIjVDtRRrPHNeLJdACN~ZtD~BFi0o2TJ76hr093INhms~jstlyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-23T01:10:57.647Z","article","Planning Department staff updated the commission on three ongoing efforts: Firewise community mapping, the ADU Accelerator program, and material samples at the terrace project site.

The Planning Director described a city-led mapping effort to delineate local Firewise communities more precisely than the national point-based map maintained by the National Fire Prevention Council. The director said the city is working with the emergency preparedness commission and expects the mapping to be completed within 30 to 60 days; staff noted better mapping can support insurance-rate reductions for homeowners who join Firewise communities.

Assistant Planner Anna Toll provided details on the ADU (accessory dwelling unit) Accelerator program. Toll said the program, funded through a Senate District 7 initiative, allocated funding to 15 East Bay cities: about $50,000 per city for development of in-house, permit-ready ADU plans and roughly $46,000 for rebates to homeowners constructing ADUs. Toll said the rebate is a sliding scale based on ADU size and whether the unit is designated for affordable or low-income tenants; she pointed listeners to lovelafayette.org/aduaccelerator for more information.

Staff also reported that material sample walls have appeared at the terrace project site; staff and commissioners visited the site and found one sample already removed. Staff said the samples help the project team and reviewers visualize proposed materials and that a final decision about pulling permits and starting construction will depend on timing and weather considerations, with parties preferring to avoid beginning earthwork close to the rainy season.

No formal actions were taken; staff asked commissioners to help circulate program details and noted additional outreach to residents is planned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission, July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff reported progress on mapping Firewise communities, launched an ADU Accelerator program with off-the-shelf plans and rebates, and noted material samples were placed at a terrace project site; staff expects mapping and program outreach to continue.","taxTitle","Lafayette, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",77659,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6500375,"Planning Commission approves land-use permit to remove apartment at 3409 Mount Diablo Boulevard",754,1185000,1939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d&start=1185&end=1939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d/thumbnail_1185000.jpg","/articles/6500375/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-land-use-permit-to-remove-apartment-at-3409-Mount-Diablo-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500375-f79abdf6b5b9afba30d4338be8929e3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170826&Signature=i41onFJDSewDYHgAjPIsWWXE4UjayIWf0pcG2jvBpCGUz-VQKaExPWtuCq-MSQrBHaO3JjyVGn19yI3ZQNC8l1My4NcHK6fTEmy0RuSpz-Z9Fhk2h8g46fd-FyoDoz1HYqMIaInZCE134qTj8f0UhNQrj4wVMSLMHV9rCvmD5XdShSrEzeH-fgqedY7DDg2rQI2LjNFWmiZ0dnizc~4XA6V2Z74fCaZYv0f8XOTzKYx3DeMdd4Iv42TjtKR3nW6DuG-8~ifX9u~DGHblUOXzlONmP6A-GX8SPfHzFx8IgYwKe7xrzLc0Zq6igTnoqZnP~93xFH39R6eSM-Ag10tkhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve a land use permit allowing removal of a vacant upper-floor apartment at 3409 Mount Diablo Boulevard and related interior demolition.

Assistant Planner Anna Toll presented the application (file titled LU-425) and told commissioners the building, constructed in 1956 and in the C-1 zoning district with an East End Commercial general-plan designation, contains commercial uses and a three-bedroom apartment at the rear upper floor that has been vacant for about five years. Toll said staff found no permit history demonstrating the unit had been properly permitted as a residential conversion and that, because the unit is not currently serving as housing, the findings for approval could be made for consistency with the general plan and zoning. Toll said the applicant proposes interior demolition in phase 1 and exterior and tenant-improvement work in phase 2, with exterior facade work to return to the Design Review Commission.

Toll recommended the commission find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and adopt PC Resolution 2025-07 approving the land use permit subject to conditions. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about bike parking, potential interim storage use of the emptied space, and the phasing rationale. The applicant representative explained that the phasing is driven by existing leases on the upper floor, which run until early 2028, and that phase 1 would remove the living-unit interior and rear access while leaving a shell until phase 2 tenant improvements.

One commissioner raised a concern that unpermitted conversions, once discovered, generally require either bringing the space up to current code or demolition; a commissioner noted that could force property owners into decisions they might not otherwise make. Staff explained Lafayette Municipal Code section 6,250 sets a default one-year approval period for permits, with the planning director able to grant a one-year extension upon showing of good cause; staff said demolition work once initiated and diligently pursued can vest the entitlement.

Commissioner (name not specified in the record) moved that the commission find the project CEQA-exempt and adopt PC Resolution 2025-07; the motion was seconded and passed 6-0. Staff noted a 14-day appeal period to the City Council.

The adopted resolution authorizes the land-use permit to remove the residential unit as conditioned; the file identifier referenced in the staff presentation is LU-425. No additional permits or Design Review approvals for facade work were decided at this meeting.","The commission found the project CEQA-exempt and unanimously adopted PC Resolution 2025-07 to allow demolition of a vacant upper-floor apartment and related interior demolition, subject to conditions and a 14-day appeal period.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6500377,"Neighbors raise alarm over possible fourplex at 943 Mountain View Drive",170,741000,911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d&start=741&end=911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442311-12214a9abc5afe5686eeaeb96d337b5d/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6500377/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/Neighbors-raise-alarm-over-possible-fourplex-at-943-Mountain-View-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500377-85fd4a433333c1ab86281597706fcf3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170826&Signature=JpA5dPvYqbL5Ef3qQf-gG93T9QTjvVrdxj5jeTP5rXJAnXHRN7QQZRJ2~RtxvJRyhttn0CABf5f6EvACmHYuJrmGZNL6M8ORfDaA7aIggD9uUrgBQkvcSidDGQ~B4dOLyMMoGuRkGhsG~34~QY7lCeML3buGwr3Ecq9zPqzieViihcOpjoJnTIrECcA2AOQCRAZ50ZXFGO8Ky0VJ8F3letnVFpS6aeXX9RkqeXqi3jsuwWfW4w76PBTmuuiiZaU94tT7AxN5cOAvmfCytmgIJV5jZj3R5~e~cnE0pVC2hQaoS5E8tZK3NTG-T1a5hY2AeXApvKZQzxXG4f7hhdattQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Mountain View Drive told the Lafayette Planning Commission they have heard repeated rumors that a recently purchased duplex at or near 943 Mountain View Drive could be demolished and replaced with a fourplex.

The comments came during the meeting's public-comment period and were led by Leonard Dorn of 941 Mountain View Drive, who said, \"For some time now, we've been hearing rumors about 943 Mountain View Drive. The guy just bought it. It's a duplex, and we heard that he wants to tear it down and put up a fourplex.\" Dorn said neighbors had not seen any application and wanted the concern placed on the record.

Planning staff told commissioners that public notice is sent only for discretionary applications and that recent state housing laws have created pathways for some housing projects to proceed ministerially, without a local public hearing. A staff speaker told the commission: \"public notice is only sent out for discretionary applications and the state in the last 5 years or so has adopted roughly 200 housing laws. Many of which, create a pathway forward for housing to be built ministerial without the ability for the city to hold a public hearing on it.\" The staff speaker said neighbors typically are notified when an application requires discretionary approval and when the project affects properties within the required noticing radius.

A resident asked whether demolition would require a permit and whether traffic impacts would be considered. The resident said, \"If they have to tear something down, don't they need a permit for that?\" Staff responded that demolition and related approvals depend on the application type, and that some state-authorized ministerial approvals may not trigger discretionary review or mandatory traffic analysis.

Commissioners and staff recommended that concerned neighbors continue to check with planning staff for updates and that residents request notice by following the department's application inquiry process. The Planning Director and staff said they would notify interested neighbors when an application requiring local discretionary review is filed.

No formal action or vote was taken on the matter during the meeting.","Residents told the Planning Commission they had only heard rumors that the single-family unit at 941–943 Mountain View Drive might be demolished and replaced with higher-density housing; staff said state law can permit some ministerial conversions without discretionary public hearings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff updates: Firewise mapping, ADU Accelerator funding and terrace material samples

Planning Commission approves land-use permit to remove apartment at 3409 Mount Diablo Boulevard

Neighbors raise alarm over possible fourplex at 943 Mountain View Drive