The Walnut Creek Planning Commission on Dec. 11 approved entitlements for a 7‑story, 74‑unit mixed‑use building at 2094 Mount Diablo Boulevard that will replace an existing single‑story commercial building. Senior planner Simmer Gill told the commission the proposal includes roughly 3,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space, an on‑site childcare amenity limited to building residents, rooftop landscaping and a mechanical parking system.

The project uses the state density bonus because it includes eight very‑low‑income units. Gill said that under the city's mixed‑use commercial general plan designation the base density would allow about 49 units but the density bonus yields up to 74 units, and the applicant is requesting five waivers and three concessions tied to development standards and cost savings — including a request to provide a single primary facade material, to retain the existing frontage rather than constructing the West Downtown plan’s 14‑foot sidewalk, and a waiver of the 1% public art requirement (roughly $300,000 at the applicant’s stated $30 million construction estimate).

Applicant Ben Johansen of LCA Architects told commissioners the team revised plans after a Design Review Commission review and worked with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the city's building division on alternative means and methods for emergency access. "We have been able to work towards a solution that's acceptable to the fire district and to the building division," Johansen said, explaining standpipes, sprinklering and stairwell access, and noting the mechanical parking will be gated and have safety sensors.

Commissioners asked technical questions about the mechanical stacker, daycare egress and shared parking access with adjacent properties; staff and the applicant said the design meets building code and the fire marshal approved extended dead‑end access and other mitigations. Gill also told the commission staff recommends the project qualify for a CEQA Class 32 infill exemption and that the draft resolution includes the findings required for subdivision, design review, conditional use and childcare‑specific findings.

After discussion the commission voted to adopt the updated draft resolution approving the tentative subdivision, final design review, density bonus entitlements, tree drip line encroachment permit and conditional use permit for the daycare. The action includes the waivers and concessions noted in staff materials and the finding that the project meets applicable objective standards and state housing laws.

The project now proceeds to any ministerial steps required by the resolution; the commission record indicates staff presented an updated draft resolution and the applicant accepted the conditions as presented.

What’s next: The project approvals authorize the applicant to move forward with final plans and building permit submittals consistent with the conditions of approval; any appeals must be filed in writing within 10 calendar days of the commission’s decision.