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DRC approves 500‑cubic‑yard grading permit for SB 9 home at 1801 Delray Street
Summary
The commission approved a grading permit (GR 17-24) to balance 500 cubic yards of earth on site for a new SB 9‑era residence at 1801 Delray Street; staff said no trees or new impervious surfaces are proposed and recommended the project be found exempt from CEQA.
The Lafayette Design Review Commission on March 10 approved a grading permit application, GR 17-24, authorizing 500 cubic yards of on‑site grading at 1801 Delray Street to create usable outdoor area for a recently approved SB 9 urban housing development. Staff recommended, and the commission accepted, a CEQA exemption and adoption of Resolution 2025-02 approving the grading subject to standard conditions.
Madison Leonard, project planner, told the commission that the underlying property and the new residence were previously approved ministerially under Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), which authorizes urban lot splits and ministerial urban housing approvals. Because objective SB 9 standards normally limit import/export of soil outside a building footprint to 200 cubic yards, the applicant submitted GR 17-24 to permit grading beyond that limit. Staff said the proposal moves 500 cubic yards of earth but will balance cut and fill on site, will not remove trees and will not create new impervious surfaces. Staff also said the site is in the Hillside Overlay District and that landscaping plans required by the SB 9 approval were deferred to the final inspection process to meet stormwater (C3) requirements.
The application was noticed to 22 neighboring parcels and five supporting letters were provided with the application; staff reported no other public comments. Commissioners raised no substantive objections and the commission voted to adopt Resolution 2025-02 and approve the grading permit subject to the listed standard conditions; the motion passed by voice vote (all present voted "Aye").
