Design Review Commission reviews Haven’s six‑lot subdivision plan at 1948 Third Avenue; neighbors raise trees, setback and parking concerns

The Walnut Creek Design Review Commission held a study session Dec. 18 on a proposed six‑lot single‑family subdivision at 1948 Third Avenue (project ID Y24051), commonly branded by the applicant as Magnolia Village. Staff and the applicant presented site plans, architecture, landscape proposals and waiver requests under the state density bonus program; commissioners provided design guidance and neighbors raised a range of concerns.

Gerardo Victoria, planner with the Community Development Department, described the project as a proposal to demolish an existing single‑family residence and accessory structures and construct six two‑story single‑family homes on a private street. The site has a general plan designation of Single Family Medium and is zoned R‑8. The applicant requests a density bonus to allow six units where the base density would accommodate five; the proposal includes 13 development‑standard waivers (examples noted in staff materials: minimum lot size reduced from 8,000 to about 2,600 sq ft; front yard setback reduced from 20 feet to 4 feet; right‑of‑way and road width reductions).

Victoria said the project initially proposed seven new trees but the applicant resubmitted materials indicating a reduction to five new trees; staff noted 28 trees exist on site and the proposal would remove 19, including three trees staff classified as highly protected in Walnut Creek (valley oak, coast live oak, California black…