Planning commission corrects inclusionary-housing term for Residences at Abigail Place to 45 years

The Walnut Creek Planning Commission on Jan. 23 adopted a revised draft resolution to correct a condition of approval for the Residences at Abigail Place, clarifying that ownership inclusionary housing units must remain affordable for 45 years.

Simmer Gill, a staff member with the City of Walnut Creek, told commissioners the item was limited to a correction to condition number 2 in the previously adopted planning commission resolution for the project; all other aspects of the earlier approval remain in effect. Gill summarized the project as a 17-lot subdivision approved by the commission in February 2023 and noted that the site development permit was issued Oct. 15, 2024, demolition permits were finaled and the final map had been recorded. Gill said the building permit is ready to be issued but is awaiting payment of fees from the developer.

Under the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance staff said ownership inclusionary units must remain affordable for 45 years, while rental inclusionary units must remain affordable for 55 years. Gill explained that the previously adopted resolution’s condition had been misstated and indicated the ownership term as 55 years in error; the revised draft resolution corrects the term to 45 years for ownership units.

Diane Greene of Shea Homes, representing the developer, attended the hearing and told commissioners she had no objection to the correction. No members of the public spoke on the correction.

A motion to adopt the revised draft resolution correcting condition number 2 was moved and seconded. The roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Kwok, Ward, Klopp, Naiting and Chair Strongman; the motion passed. Gill noted that all other findings and conditions from the previously adopted resolution remain in effect apart from this corrected affordability term.

The commission closed the public hearing and moved on to other business.