Livermore council approves 13‑unit townhouse project at East Avenue after resident concerns

Livermore — The City Council on Nov. 24 approved a planned development to replace a 1915 cottage at 3541 East Avenue with 13 attached two‑story townhouse rental units plus an attached accessory dwelling unit, after a public hearing that drew several nearby residents voicing concerns about parking, driveway safety and trees.

Assistant planner Cam Purewell told the council the project would provide 13 rental townhouse units and one attached ADU, with unit sizes of roughly 1,400 to 1,900 square feet, photovoltaic panels and EV charging readiness. The development would provide two garage parking spaces per unit (26 total), three guest spaces and one van‑accessible ADA space; staff said the project meets the parking standards in place when the application was submitted. The applicant offered a 4‑foot easement along East Avenue to accommodate possible future bike lanes; that offer will remain open for 25 years and expire if the city does not accept it and build the lane.

Neighbors from the adjacent Vineyard Townhomes raised repeated safety and capacity concerns. "How will probable vehicle overflow affect already tight parking on East Avenue and Dolores Street?" asked Mary Perner, who also warned that sidewalk safety is an issue during school commutes. Other speakers echoed worries about driveway turning movements near existing bus stops and the potential loss of mature trees and a historic rose on the property.

Council members pressed staff for details about traffic mitigation, notice procedures and historic‑resource screening. Staff and the project team said temporary traffic calming measures such as bollards already narrow East Avenue and that permanent calming (raised sidewalks, protective curbs) is part of a later capital improvement project. The staff presentation noted the city's historic‑building survey concluded the existing cottage had lost historic integrity and is not designated as a protected historic resource. Planning staff said the Planning Commission reviewed the project on June 17 and recommended approval by a 4–1 vote.

Councilmember Dunbar moved to approve the staff recommendation — finding the project categorically exempt under CEQA, adopting resolutions approving the subdivision and site‑plan design review, and introducing an ordinance to authorize the planned development — and Councilmember Wong seconded. The motion passed with four ayes and one excused. The council asked staff to explore whether the mature rose could be replanted and to continue dialogue with neighbors as the project proceeds to permit review.

The project includes commitments to reconstruct curb, gutter and sidewalk along the frontage, underground overhead utilities, and contribute to future intersection improvements and permanent traffic calming as part of capital projects. One unit will be set aside for very‑low‑income households, staff said.

The council’s action authorizes the entitlements to move forward; the developer must complete final permits and construction approvals before building can begin.