Planning commission recommends council allow natural gas stovetops in 22-home Pruneridge development

The Planning Commission on Oct. 8 recommended the City Council adopt a mitigated negative declaration and amend planned-development zoning to allow installation of natural-gas stovetops in a 22-unit single-family development at 1957 Pruneridge Avenue.

The project, a 2.477-acre subdivision previously approved as a 22-unit all-electric planned development, would replace previously specified electric cooktops with natural-gas stovetops and remove a condition that prohibits future gas infrastructure. Senior Planner Nimisha Agrawal told the commission staff prepared an initial study and a mitigated negative declaration (MND) and recommends approval subject to a mitigation monitoring and reporting program.

The commission’s recommendation follows staff analysis that the modified project would increase annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 6.6 metric tons of CO2 equivalent — from 129 tons per year for the approved all‑electric project to about 135 tons per year if gas cooktops are installed — but that the increase could be reduced to less-than-significant levels by a mitigation measure. "The project will be required to offset the emissions calculated for the cooktops by preparing a trip demand management, TDM plan, with measures reducing the number of vehicle trips by a minimum of 5.5%, which is equivalent to 9 daily trips approximately," Agrawal said.

Matthew Schott, representing SCS Development, told the commission the change responds to buyer preferences. "The market has shown that having gas stovetops instead of electric stovetops is popular amongst homebuyers because of the superior cooking performance," he said. SCS said it has coordinated with PG&E and the city building department to add gas utilities and ventilation systems and that the developer does not intend to pass the incremental cost on to buyers.

The developer and staff referenced recent court action that affected local all‑electric policies, prompting the applicant to bring the request after permits and demolition work were already under way. "[A] Berkeley case ... won that lawsuit, and they also won on appeal. So now it's ... allowed to have it in homes as well as commercial buildings," said Steve Schott, identified as vice president of SCS Development, explaining why the applicant returned to the city for approval.

Commission discussion covered the city’s ongoing update to its reach code, which staff said will move the city from an explicit all‑electric requirement toward an energy performance approach that could provide builders alternative ways to meet energy goals. Agrawal said the city suspended the all‑electric requirement in January 2025 and that an updated reach code is in progress, but she did not provide an adoption date.

Action: The commission voted to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the MND and the mitigation monitoring and reporting program, and separately to recommend the council amend the planned-development zoning (PLN 22‑00505) to allow natural‑gas stovetops at 1957 Pruneridge Avenue, subject to conditions. Chair Kuru moved the motions; Commissioner Biagini seconded. The first motion passed; the zoning amendment recommendation passed unanimously.

The city will now consider the commission’s recommendation at a future City Council meeting. Staff noted the amended approvals would not change the project’s site plan, access or parking but would require coordination to bring gas service into the subdivision and implement the TDM mitigation measure.