Zoning administrator approves Lance Drive housing design review in Santa Rosa with conditions

The City of Santa Rosa zoning administrator on Dec. 3, 2024, approved design review for the Lance Drive housing development at 0, 1601, 1680, 1696 and 1705 Lance Drive, allowing a multi‑phase project that includes multifamily rental buildings, a small‑lot for‑sale component, a neighborhood retail corner and on‑site amenities. The action includes two added conditions: a clarified construction‑hours restriction (condition 2) and a requirement to screen rooftop HVAC equipment.

The project is located within the North Santa Rosa Station Area Specific Plan and the site was annexed into the city after Sonoma County LAFCO approval in August 2024. Planning staff told the zoning administrator the development implements the specific plan’s transit‑oriented goals by adding residents within walking distance of the North Santa Rosa Smart Station and by providing pedestrian and bicycle improvements along Guerneville Road.

Project description and design review history Planning staff (Planner Connor McCain) described the design review application as covering the development of hundreds of residential units across multiple buildings, a 4,800‑square‑foot retail space and a community garden. McCain said the application reviewed “the development of 672 apartment units across 26 apartment buildings” and cited prior procedural steps: a concept design review by the Design Review Board on Jan. 25, 2024, a Planning Commission approval of a tentative map and conditional use permit for the small‑lot subdivision on Nov. 14, 2024, and the LAFCO annexation in August 2024.

The project sponsor, Sean Murphy of Pacific Development, and the design team presented updated…